RECENTLY released figures from the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association (NTLEA) have painted a surprisingly positive picture of live export from the Top End.
A total of 406,055 cattle were shipped to the usual destinations over 122 trips during the 2013/14 financial year, with the number one destination not surprisingly being Indonesia which accounted for 72 per cent of the intake.
The total export number is the highest in recorded history from the Port of Darwin.
The North Queensland Register spoke to Landmark/Magnat Katherine owner Barry Groves who said that current export indicators seems point to a higher demand overseas over the past 12 months for demand feeder and slaughter types.
“By all indications the market is looking a lot better than it was directly after the live-ex ban, figures have steadily picked up to the point where the price is now fairly respectable,” Mr Groves said.
“Feeder steers 280-350kg are up to 190c/kg, medium steers 350kg plus are at 180c, feeder heifers 280-350kg are selling for 170c, medium heifers 350-450kg are at 155c, heavy Brahman bulls to 650kg are making 150c, and heavy cows 380kg plus are reaching 125c on average,” he said.
“The rates have been steadily lifting for all categories over the 13/14 financial period which is great news for the Northern beef export industry.”
NTLEA Chief Executive Officer Ben Hindle said the spike can be attributed to a combination of more emerging markets and stronger supply chains.
“And the basic fact that the “world’s population is steadily increasing; hence the world is getting hungrier for Australian beef,” Mr Hindle said.
“Darwin is ideally situated to supply the markets of Indonesia, the Philippines and the rest of SE Asia,” he said.
“Northern Australia is home to large numbers of tropically adapted cattle ideal for fattening in South East Asian feedlots. The trade is facilitated by the fact that Australia has a disease free herd.
“The imported Australian cattle are fed on the abundant supplies of agricultural bi-products available in the importing countries.
“In doing so, Australian cattle are able to be value added while at the same time enhancing domestic employment opportunities.”
Matt Sherrington
Journalist for the North Queensland Register.
Journalist for the North Queensland Register.
