TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Australian cattle imports cut only temporary: Minister
Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said on Wednesday that the governmentâs decision to cut cattle imports from Australia was only temporary as there was no written agreement between the two countries on import figures
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
T
rade Minister Rachmat Gobel said on Wednesday that the government's decision to cut cattle imports from Australia was only temporary as there was no written agreement between the two countries on import figures.
'There is no quota limit,' he said as quoted by tempo.co.
With no limit, he added, the government could increase the import quota anytime if necessary.
He explained the cuts were because the government wanted to evaluate domestic beef stock following information about oversupply in several regions, including West Nusa Tenggara.
Rachmat also said that the government was also evaluating cattle prices.
'We have an excess in supply, but the price remains high,' he said.
Rachmat added that the government was considering other options for cattle imports such as India, as its cattle are cheaper than Australia's.
'Therefore, the figures in the third quarter can change again, this is only a temporary figure,' he said.
The government has decided to import 50,000 head of Australian cattle in the third quarter, a sharp reduction from 250,000 in the previous quarter and 180,000 in the same period last year.
Indonesia is the biggest market for Australia's live export industry, which is worth about US$1 billion and employs thousands of people. (ika)(+++)
