Trade sources this week reported a new release of about 5800 tonnes of boxed beef import permit quota to cover the remaining two months of the second quarter, ending June 30.

The extension has been released relatively quietly with reports of some disagreement between the Indonesian Department of Trade, which was pushing for increased permits, and the Directorate-General of Livestock Services, which was opposed.

On the live export side of Australia’s combined meat and livestock trade with Indonesia, about 107,000 head of cattle have been shipped for the four months ended April, leaving around 70,000 head to be shipped in May/June under the current existing permits issued for the first half of the year.

That represents approximately 60 percent of the 283,000 head annual quota.

With the Ramadan religious festival timed for August this year (the annual timing varies by a few weeks each year), there will no doubt be pressure on Indonesian authorities to reconsider current supply requirements, trade sources said this week.