JAKARTA. Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said on Wednesday that the government’s decision to cut cattle imports from Australia was only temporary as there was no written agreement between the two countries on import figures. “There is no quota limit,” he said.
With no limit, he added, the government could increase the import quota anytime if necessary.
He explained the cuts were because the government wanted to evaluate domestic beef stock following information about oversupply in several regions, including West Nusa Tenggara.
Rachmat also said that the government was also evaluating cattle prices.
“We have an excess in supply, but the price remains high,” he said.
Rachmat added that the government was considering other options for cattle imports such as India, as its cattle are cheaper than Australia's.
“Therefore, the figures in the third quarter can change again, this is only a temporary figure,” he said.
The government has decided to import 50,000 head of Australian cattle in the third quarter, a sharp reduction from 250,000 in the previous quarter and 180,000 in the same period last year.
Indonesia is the biggest market for Australia’s live export industry, which is worth about US$1 billion and employs thousands of people. (ika)
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