Piloting a livestock export market outlook service

Summary

The Australian livestock export industry participants do not currently have access to a comprehensive market outlook service. Such information is required by the industry to assist both short-term (strategic marketing decisions) and long-term decisions (planning and investment). The Project has successfully operated a comprehensive market situation and outlook service for both the cattle and sheep live export sector in the form of a series of four quarterly reports for both cattle and sheep. 
These reports have been widely distributed and well received by industry participants. The industry has benefitted from having timely and accurate reports that provide an overview of current market conditions and an analysis of the medium-term outlook. The industry also benefits from having an experienced analysis focussed specifically on live export markets, something not catered for by existing. These reports were also used as inputs in industry cattle and sheep projections and over time will assist in aiding market understand and improving forecast accuracy. 
The reports will help improve communication of industry in-market issues and market dynamics right along the supply chain and aid in improving industry decision making. The independence of this service has helped to eliminate the bias that tends to occur between various interests such as producers, processors, exporters and importers. The author of the report has maintained linkages with all participants within the chain such that a balanced picture of price, supply and demand can be communicated to the wider industry.