27 February 2008 |
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| Increased demand for Australian live exports |
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| The demand for Australian live cattle and sheep in major export markets is set to increase, according to a new ABARE report. The report, Live Animal Exports: A Profile of the Australian Industry, was released today by ABARE Executive Director, Phillip Glyde. "In 2006-07, live cattle exports were valued at more than $430 million and live sheep exports at around $290 million," said Mr Glyde. "Continued population and income growth in south east Asia and the Middle East should underpin expansion in these markets," he continued. "Australia has secured its current share of these live export markets because it is free of diseases such as foot and mouth and has a reputation for delivering animals of reliable quality," Mr Glyde explained. But Mr Glyde cautioned that potential competition from lower cost suppliers in South America and increased community concern for the welfare of exported animals represented a challenge to the future of the industry."Producers in some regions of western and northern Australia are reliant on live exports to maintain their farm incomes and we see only limited prospects for substituting trade in meat for live exports," said Mr Glyde. "The lack of refrigeration across a large proportion of south east Asia and religious and cultural preferences for live animals means that importing countries are expected to source livestock from competing suppliers rather than buy meat from Australia if restrictions were placed on live animal exports," Mr Glyde concluded. |
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| For media interviews and comment, please contact Lisa Elliston, Agriculture and Surveys Branch Manager on 02 6272 2091, mobile 0408 608 298 or email lelliston@abare.gov.au For free downloads of the report, Live Animal Exports: A Profile of the Australian Industry, please visit the ABARE website www.abare.gov.au or phone Publications on 02 6272 2010. For general media enquiries, contact Maree Finnegan, Media Coordinator on 02 6272 2260 or email mfinnegan@abare.gov.au. |
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