The Wellard vessel “Ocean Drover” departed from the Port of Townsville on Sunday with 18,600 feeder cattle on board bound for the Indonesian live export market.
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Wellard Export Logistics Manager (South East Asia Division) Ben Giblett said the cattle will be partially filling the 200,000 head fourth quarter import quota that was announced recently by the Indonesian government.
“The numbers we had coming through were so high that we had cattle coming in from four yards including the Dalrymple Saleyards at Charters Towers; Kelly's near Townsville; Sugarbag near Mt Garnet and the Julago export yards,” he said.
Mr Giblett said he wasn’t expecting this quarter to be as hectic as quarter two was or as quiet as quarter three proved to be when when the Indonesian government reduced their import quotas.
“Going from organising 15 vessels in twelve week’s comprising a minimum of 4000 slaughter types or 6000 feeder cattle to a very subdued time in the following quarter really showed how wildly the Indonesian permit system can swing.
“It’ll be good to have a steadier quarter to close out the year.”
An annual permit system to create greater trade certainty between Australia and Indonesia is being pushed by Minister Barnaby Joyce.
“A strong and secure trade...underpins affordable food security and prices in Indonesia, and provides security for Australian cattle exporters,” Mr Joyce said.
“It’s good to see a return to the volume industry expected to trade in this quarter, and I welcome Indonesia’s intent to import more of our quality livestock.”
Federal Trade Minister Andrew Robb is also hopeful an annual system can be introduced after recently holding talks with Indonesia’s new Trade Minister, Thomas Lembong.
“There’s certainly a view that we need far more stability,” Mr Robb said.
“Now that demand for live cattle is heading towards exceeding the supply it’s all the more important for both Indonesia and for ourselves that there is some certainty attached to the number of cattle that are likely to be required in any one year.
Minister Lembong said that long term orientation was always wiser course of action compared to very short term, instant gratification. Full story P5
