Indonesia cattle and boxed beef update

---

Q4 feeder cattle imports

Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has recommended 200,000 head of feeder cattle for the fourth quarter (Q4) this year (October to December), however the Ministry of Trade – responsible for issuing the final import permits – may also review these numbers again. As discussions are still ongoing between Trade and Agriculture, permits may only be released at the end of this month.

Slaughter cattle imports

The state logistics agency BULOG is anticipated to bring in around 7,000 head of slaughter cattle by the end of September. However, it is now unclear whether the organisation can bring in the remaining 43,000 head by the end of this year, as previously understood, due to a recent revision of regulation. The change will prevent future issuing of import permits for ready-to-slaughter cattle.

Imports of productive heifers and breeding cattle

East Kalimantan provincial government continues its preparation to bring in productive heifers, possibly in October. The Ministry of Agriculture reiterated its intention to bring in up to 22,000 heads of productive heifers, bulls and breeding buffalo by the end of this calendar year, with possibility of importing further breeders in 2016.

Boxed beef imports

Boxed beef importers are reportedly optimistic that import permits for Q4 – possibly a similar volume to Q3 – will be granted in the next two weeks. BULOG has obtained MoA recommendation to import an additional 10,000 tonnes swt of boxed beef (prime, carcase, secondary etc) but details such as timing and pricing are still being discussed. The BULOG imported beef is expected to be used for wet market operations but some reports indicate that BULOG may also be looking to penetrate the retail and food service sector.

In-market prices

• Feeder cattle exiting feedlot: around IDR 38,500 – 40,300/kg lwt (stable)
• Slaughter cattle: ranges from IDR 36,500 – 41,000/kg lwt, carcase prices IDR 79,000 – 83,000/kg cwt (stable)
• Local cattle: selling at around IDR 47,000 – 55,000/kg lwt (up, with Idul Adha approaching). Carcase price IDR 85,000,- 86,0000/kg cwt (up)
• Wet market prices are around IDR 95,000 – 105,000/kg, product weight (stable)
• (Current exchange rate A$1 = IDR 10,353)