The Thai agriculture ministry announced on 17 June that it is targeting the collection of Thai beef cattle for export by ship to China at 100,000 head a month, or 1.2 million head a year, through a quarantine hub to be built at Bang Saphan – a privately owned deep-sea port that Australian exporters used to discharge cattle back in 2015…Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 16/09/2026
First-half Australian cattle exports fell 29 per cent and the squeeze is now biting downstream as Indonesian feedlots discount stock and ask for extended payment terms, while exports to another market in July represent potential green shoots in a previously large market…Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 01/09/2026
NOAA has declared an El Nino, formed in June and tipped to strengthen into 2027, and across Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines governments have moved from watching to spending | A dry year’s feed and disease stress lands on the part of the Indonesian trade already squeezed between a capped feedlot price and dearer Australian cattle | Manila is building home-grown foot-and-mouth and swine fever vaccine capability…Read More
The big news this month came from outside the region, China recognising the whole of Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease and opening the world’s largest beef market fully to the world’s largest beef exporter. The reason it matters here is twofold…Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 11/06/2026
Vietnam seeks emergency approval to import SAT-1 FMD vaccines as cross-border disease risk rises | Indonesian meat processors continue to lobby for their 2026 private beef quota to be restored from 30,000 to 180,000 tonnes | Sea freight stays under pressure, with Singapore bunker fuel at USD 850/mt still nearly double January’s USD 480/mt…Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 22/05/2026
Post-Eid prices stay high, margins crushed | Zero tariff proposal draws fierce industry opposition | SAT-1 FMD threat tightens Thai cattle border | Australia dominates beef imports, US trade deal looms..Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 21/04/2026
Brazil and Canada are expanding market access in Southeast Asia as regional buyers diversify beef supply | Indonesia continues enforcing Ramadan beef price caps as cattle prices hold around IDR 55,000/kg liveweight | Tight cattle supply and wet season conditions are limiting availability into Darwin despite strong export demand…Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 11/03/2026
Australian live feeder prices have now pushed above Indonesia’s effective government price cap | Indonesia again carried the bulk of 2025 volumes, but the Philippines and new breeder markets added welcome depth | Rising feeder prices are pushing exporters to focus more heavily on higher-margin breeder and dairy cattle…Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 10/02/2026Indonesia continues exploring Brazilian feeder cattle | Vietnam meat imports rising amid feed cost squeeze | Philippine beef demand is set to rise into 2026..Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 16/12/2025
Indonesia’s beef herd has collapsed by a third since 2022, reinforcing demand for Australian live cattle | Feeder prices in northern Australia surged to $4.50/kg, the fastest rise in years | Vietnam and Philippines steady, but typhoon season is causing disruption…Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 13/11/2025
Indonesia bids for FMD-free status in nine eastern provinces, but 2026 looks ambitious given weak surveillance and vaccination | Vietnam tightens wastewater rules and pushes VAT reforms to ease feed costs | Philippines expands buffalo meat imports..Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 10/10/2025
Indonesia’s demand is holding strong, supported by stable prices and new programs | Vietnam’s livestock herds are shrinking under import pressure and high feed costs | Australia’s disease-free status continues to underpin strong regional trust..Read More
Dr Michael Patching, 09/09/2025