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Live sheep trade at 12-year low
3 Nov 2003
Australia's live sheep exports have sunk to their lowest level in 12 years following the MV Cormo Express saga. Latest Meat and Livestock Australia figures show that sheep exports dropped 55 per cent to just 187,116 in September 2003.
The number of countries taking live sheep also fell in September - to only six: Kuwait (141,000), United Arab Emirates (23,000), Bahrain (17,000), Oman (4,000) and China (734).
After Saudi Arabia refused to take the Cormo Express shipment, the Australian Government banned live exports to that country, which had been the biggest importer of Australian sheep.
Live cattle exports also dropped in September 2003 - to 29,395, which was 38 per cent down on September 2002. Sales were to Singapore (down 43 per cent, Indonesia (down 38 per cent), the Philippines (down 37 per cent) and Malaysia (down 43 per cent).
The only bright spot was the export of live dairy cattle to China, with 5,400 taken by that country in September 2003. Over the year, dairy cattle sales to China totalled 26,000, worth $40 million.
Tradingroom.com.au, 2/11/03.
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