RI Imports Another 6,000 Cattle to Stabilize Meat Prices

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesia has recently imported 6,000 heads of live cattle from Australia to stabilize meat prices, which currently stand at Rp92,000 per kilogram or US$8.4 per kilogram, Trade Ministry's Secretary General Gunaryo said here on Friday. "Some of them (cattle) were brought into Indonesia three days ago," he said. According to data from the ministry, 24,750 heads of live cattle were imported by Indonesia between July and October this year. This was in accordance with Ministerial Decree Number 699/2013 announced on July 18 last year which cleared the import of cattle. Cattle imports will be allowed until December 31. The imports are being made through listed slaughterhouses and integrated feedlotters. The imported cattle have to be slaughtered and distributed immediately at a price set by the government. Australia is the largest supplier of live cows to Indonesia. (*)