Australian cattle export volumes in February increased marginally on January trade, but remained at reduced levels not seen for a decade.

Live export cattle at Berrimah in the NT. Picture: NTLEA

27,070 cattle were exported from Australia last month, above the 24,347 head handled in January, but the lowest monthly volume since December 2012.

Figures released by the Department of Agriculture show shipments to Indonesia increased from 8336 head in January to 12,905 head in February.

7527 feeder cattle were shipped to Indonesia from Darwin, and 5378 from Townsville.

A further 1472 feeder cattle were shipped from Darwin to the Philippines.

It is important to note that Darwin Port figures actually show a much larger number of cattle exported from the port for the month of 19,430. It is understood that shipments late in the month explain the discrepancy between the two sets of figures.

Exports of breeding cattle from Portland to China also resumed in February after a month of no activity in January, with 12,444 head shipped from the Victorian port.

There were no exports to Vietnam in February.