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Analysts downplay Iraq war impact
21 Mar 2003
Rural analysts say the war with Iraq should not impact too heavily on Australian agriculture - provided it's over quickly and doesn't expand to other countries in the region.
With two AWB wheat shipments stranded in the Persian Gulf, export programs to other Middle East nations are now considered at risk.
Meat and Livestock Australia says the most immediate impact for the beef trade is a sudden leap in insurance costs covering containers destined for the Middle East. If some ports close, shipping will be more difficult, MLA says, but if the war is confined to Iraq it shouldn't have a significant impact.
The National Farmers' Federation says if the war is swift and has a clear result there should only be minimal impact on Australian trade to the region. But for the wool industry the impact on trade is less clear; the industry has adopted a "wait and see" attitude.
Stock & Land, 20/3/03.
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