Australia
Australia is the world’s largest exporter of sheep and cattle. According to a report by Meat and Livestock Australia, 4.2 million sheep and 572,799 cattle were exported to markets in Asia, the Middle East and other countries in 2005. Most of the livestock are for meat but there is also an active trade in breeding stock, including dairy cattle.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia) controls the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock. The standards were amended in April 2011 (version 2.3). ESCAS (Exporter Supply Chain Assurance Scheme) tracks livestock shipped from Australia to ESCAS approved processing facilities outside of Australia. AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) manages quarantine controls to minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering the country. AQIS also provides import and export inspection and certification to help retain Australia's highly favourable animal, plant and human health status and wide access to overseas export markets.
The major market for Australian cattle is Indonesia, which takes 80 percent of annual exports. Other key markets include Israel, Malaysia, Japan, Mexico and China. The major markets for Australian sheep are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan. Other key markets are Bahrain, the UAE, Oman and Qatar. Australia’s main market competitors are from China, South America and North Africa.
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