Indonesia remains the largest market for the territory’s significant pastoral economy. Photo: NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Northern Territory’s live cattle export industry has enjoyed its best performance in more than 10 years, solidifying Darwin’s role as the leading live export hub in Australia and delivering economic benefits for regional and remote parts of the territory.
Last year, 447,620 head of cattle were exported from Darwin Port, an 18 per cent rise on the previous year. Of those cattle, 70 per cent were Northern Territory products.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Gerard Maley said high export numbers were the result of cooperation between government and industry.
“The territory produced 40 per cent of Australia’s live cattle exports, and 57 per cent of the national trade moved through Darwin Port,” Mr Maley said.
“This is a strong vote of confidence in territory producers, exporters and supply chains, and all part of our plan to rebuild the economy.”
In terms of overall trade, Darwin Port recorded a 23.5 per cent increase in the past financial year, with live cattle exports contributing to that growth.
Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association CEO Patrick Moran said: “Research has shown that every extra dollar generated by the cattle industry generates an additional 50 cents of benefit to the broader territory economy. A stronger cattle export industry underpins a stronger territory.”
Buffalo exports also recorded a significant growth spurt, climbing 57 per cent to 7284 head, the highest volume in three years.
Cattle prices remained high throughout the year and feeder cattle ended the period at a value of $4.55 a kilogram, up from $3.55 a kilo.
Indonesia remains the territory’s dominant live export market, receiving more than 90 per cent of cattle shipped through Darwin Port.
“Indonesia has signalled strong interest in expanding live cattle imports to support its national food security priorities, and the territory is well placed to meet that demand,” Mr Maley said.
“To support this growth, I led a delegation of pastoral industry representatives and government officials to Indonesia last October to strengthen relationships, identify new opportunities and ensure the territory remains a preferred supplier.”
The relationship between the Northern Territory and Indonesia was important enough to earn a visit from the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Dr Siswo Pramono, and a delegation of senior officials from the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture.
But the CLP Government hopes to strengthen ties across South-East Asia, including in Malaysia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste, which would set up the territory’s industry for continued growth by attracting investment and opening up markets.
