Live cattle exports up 18% for 2006-07
9/08/2007
Australian live cattle exports jumped 18% during the 2006-07 fiscal year, with record shipments to Indonesia during June contributing to the increase. Shipments for 2006-07 were the highest for three years, at 676,797 head – valued at A$497 million FOB (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Exports for June increased 51% on the 2006, to 101,095 head – the sixth highest month on record. Cattle exports to Indonesia for 2006-07 increased 26% on the previous year, to 452,117 head, with a record monthly total of 84,579 head sent during June. Strong consumer demand and increased investment in Indonesian feedlots have driven the increase for the year, along with a steady supply of suitable cattle out of northern Australia. The 26% increase in cattle exports to Indonesia for 2006-07 is even more impressive when considering the A$ appreciated 13% against the Indonesian Rupiah throughout the year. Exports for the year were valued at a record A$303 million. Israel was Australia’s second largest market for live cattle in 2006-07, just in front of Malaysia. Shipments to Israel for the year increased 25%, to 54,432 head, while Malaysia received 52,247 head – up 16%. Saudi Arabia (26,180 head) and Kuwait (4,368 head) were the only other regular markets to record increases for the year. Demand from the Philippines continues to be weak, with shipments for 2006-07 falling back a further 18%, to 14,016 head. In the second half of the 1990’s the Philippines market consistently received in excess of 200,000 head, peaking at 262,662 head in 1998-99. Exports to Japan for 2006-07 declined 10%, to 21,544 head, while shipments to China (12,017 head) and Mexico (9,770 head) fell back 16% and 57%, respectively.
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