October 4, 2014

In the last financial year, Australia's live cattle trade has broken records, rising past AUD1 billion (US$879 million) in value, with export shipments of 1.13 million head.

Doubling demand from Indonesia has driven a 79% increase on animals shipped over 2012-13 as the country imported 624,749 head.

As Vietnam emerges as a key market for cattle imports, the country receives a significant increase of Australian shipments over 2012-13, at 131,367 head and representing AUD124 million (US$109 million) in value.

Israel follows with 108,953 head of imports while China drove a 6% increase in shipments of dairy cattle.

Australia's dairy cattle exports reached 92,629 head, with about 85% bound for China, which is building herds to meet rising demand for dairy products.

Live export demand is expected to be stronger in the current financial year, although there were concerns over the country's short-term ability to supply growing markets. Australia faces the problem of continual cattle slaughtering due to severe dry conditions in the country.

Currently, the Australian city of Darwin maintains its position as the largest live export port in 2013-14, shipping 415,427 head, followed by Townsville (203,824 head) and Fremantle (140,932 head).