Australia-Live shipping numbers down.

Australia’s live sheep and cattle exports started 2009 slowly, with shipments during January back significantly year-on-year, largely due to supply constraints, Meat and Livestock Australia reports.

MLA says that cattle exports were disrupted by the heavy rain and flooding across northern Australia, causing extensive logistical problems, while lower flock numbers and turnoff rates impacted available sheep supplies throughout WA.

Cattle exports in January totalled 42,469 head, down 30pc year-on-year, and the lowest monthly total since November 2007.

The majority of the cattle exported for the month went to Indonesia (37,398 head), while shipments were also recorded to Japan (1,840 head), Kuwait (905 head), Brunei (839 head) and Malaysia (800).

Live sheep exports declined 39pc year-on-year, to 184,931 head.

Exports were constrained to all markets, with the exception of Oman, which recorded a 4pc rise year-on-year, to 53,482 head.

Shipments were sent to Kuwait (47,385 head), Bahrain (42,000 head), Qatar (29,425 head), the United Arab Emirates (7399 head) and Malaysia (5000 head).