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Dollar gains hit live-ex
12 Feb 2004
The value of live exports fell 18 per cent last year due to the rising $AUD, which stifled demand from major beef cattle markets, such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. LiveCorp and Meat and Livestock Australia released statistics last week showing the total value of livestock exports for 2003 at $840 million, down significantly from $1.03 billion in 2002.
China was the only market to gain ground last year, with dairy cattle exports soaring 370 per cent to 44,100 head, compared with 9,400 in 2002. That market has gone from zero to $75 million in four years.
Live beef cattle exports to Indonesia were down 10 per cent to 387,000 head. The Philippines market also suffered at the hands of the $AUD, declining 15 per cent to 96,000 head.
Total sheep exports fell 17 per cent in 2003 to $342 million. Live goat breeding stock exports to China dropped 48 per cent to 71,000 head, but the value increased 21 per cent to $12.4 million.
North Queensland Register, 12/2/04.
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