China deal for live cattle trade

Exports to beef up

TOWNSVILLE’S live cattle trade is set to soar after a trade delegation secured an agreement with a Chinese port during a trade mission.

Port of Townsville is set to have a record year for live cattle exports, with three separate ships leaving Townsville last week carrying thousands of head of cattle to Indonesia and Vietnam.

The North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils – comprising Townsville, Charters Towers, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and Palm Island – along with the port, has signed framework agreements with Huizhou City, Huizhou Port and Guangdong Logistic Industry Association in China.

The organisations have agreed to focus on the infrastructure needed at the port to accelerate livestock trade between the North and Guangdong, China’s most populous province with 100 million people.

Port of Townsville chairman Pat Brady said the agreement cemented a further milestone following the signing of a memorandum of understanding last month.

“This next step … recognises the importance being shown by China in our region and paves the way for our ports to work together to grow live cattle and other trades and investment opportunities between North Queensland and Guangdong Province,” he said.

Townsville exported a record 201,810 head in 2013- 14.

So far, 196,071 head have been exported this financial year. A spokeswoman said the port expected demand of about 800,000 live cattle as well as boxed beef from the region.

“Shorter transit times and lower logistics costs means that Australian producers will be able to sell their product to China at competitive prices,” the spokeswoman said.

The port experienced one of its busiest periods for live cattle last week, with three ships – the Ganado Express, Ocean Drover and Brahman Express – leaving the city carrying thousands of head of cattle.