Indonesia has issued 450,000 permits for Australian cattle in 2016, with 200,000 issued in first quarter (Q1) and 250,000 issued for the Q2. It is expected Indonesia will issue around 150,000 permits for Q3. According to ABC Rural, the supply of cattle in northern Australia is tightening quickly, hence the climb in price, and sourcing enough stock to fill 150,000 permits would be challenging. The price for live export cattle to Indonesia has jumped again, with feeder steers shipped from Darwin now fetching up to $3.60 a kilogram. Prices are also improving across the border in Western Australia. The live export price started the year hitting a record high of $3.90/kg (ex-Darwin), before slipping back and spending a few months around the $3.30 a kilogram mark.With the price now rising again, margins for exporters and importers will be tested.
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