Northern Territory primary industries and fisheries minister Willem Westra van Holte says Vietnam is showing promise as a market for the territory's live cattle export trade, with the second shipment of NT cattle in 12 months set to leave for the market this week.

Willem Westra van Holthe said the recently elected Mills Government saw the further development of livestock export markets as an important step in ensuring the sustainability of the Territory’s pastoral sector.

“In the next two to three years, Vietnam could develop into a significant export market of more than 10,000 head of cattle each year – this would see the market second only to Indonesia,” Mr Westra van Holthe said in a media release issued on Tuesday morning.

“It’s fantastic news the Territory has tapped into this new market that will see 1500 head of cattle leave for Vietnam this week at a value of almost $1.5 million.

“Thursday’s shipment builds on a shipment of 945 cattle last September and a third shipment of 1500 is expected to be negotiated before the end of the year.”

Yesterday, Mr Westra van Holthe and NT minister for trade Peter Chandler met with Mr Nguyen Quang Trung, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to reconfirm the Country Liberals Government’s commitment to this important trade relationship.

Mr Chandler said the Mills Government will continue to work with our Vietnamese counterparts, importers, exporters, the NT Cattleman’s Association and the NT Livestock Exports Association to support the long term growth of this vital industry.

“The Mills Government is committed to broadening the Territory’s export base to make the pastoral sector more sustainable,” Mr Chandler said.

Later this week, ahead of the livestock shipment’s arrival in Vietnam, a delegation will travel to Ho Chi Minh City to undertake training with local staff to ensure the welfare, animal handling and dietary needs of livestock comply with Federal Government regulations.