July 3, 2012
Indonesian beef imports on decline for March quarter
Indonesian beef imports suffered a 16% drop on-year during the first three months of 2012, to 10,590 tonnes and was 17% lower than the five-year average.
The decline is attributed to the restriction in import permits.
Australia maintained its status as the largest supplier of beef into Indonesia, accounting for 52% of total imports. Total imports of Australian beef reached 5,543 tonnes, a slightly lower market share than the same time last year (53%) and the lowest March quarter volume since 2008. New Zealand made up 44% of the Indonesian beef import market, at 4,647 tonnes; while US imports made up the remaining 4% of the market share, at 400 tonnes, slightly higher than the same period last year.
While total imports fell during the first three months of 2012, imports of chilled product increased 99% over the same period last year, to 593 tonnes. The rise was due to a jump in Australian chilled beef imports, which increased 144% on-year, to 513 tonnes.
Imports of offal to Indonesia during the March quarter declined 70% on-year, to 2,600 tonnes. Offal imports for the March quarter were also 75% below the five-year average - the lowest March quarterly volume since 1999. While imports of Australian offal declined on the corresponding quarter last year, to 1,694 tonnes, its market share increased from 43% in 2011, to 65% in the first three months of 2012.