August 25, 2014

Indonesia to secure cattle and beef supplies from Australia

Indonesia has reached a cooperation agreement with Australia aimed at prioritising cattle procurement and beef supply, as part of effort to build up Indonesia's food security.

Promotion Deputy at Indonesia's Investment Coordination Agency (BKPM), Himawan Hariyoga said that the agreement was intended to synergize the two countries' potentialities in cattle and beef trade, improve competitiveness of investments in the sector which would eventually help strengthen Indonesia's food security.

Himawan also said that in the future Indonesia would be part of global food supply chain through the cooperation with Australia, which will enable Indonesia to sell halal-certified meat to Southeast Asia, Asia and the Middle East.

Indonesia has long been an importer of Australian meat and cattle. Australia shipped about 395,000 head of live cattle to Indonesia last year and is expected to increase by 77% this year.