ALEC visit underscores importance of Indonesia to Australian live cattle trade

Representatives from the live export industry’s peak body, the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) are in Indonesia this week meeting with key trade partners to reaffirm the sector’s commitment to advancing Indonesian food security and agricultural development.

The delegation includes ALEC Chief Executive Officer Mark Harvey-Sutton, newly elected ALEC Board Chair and experienced veterinarian Dr Chris Back, ALEC Director and Indonesian feedlot industry-specialist Greg Pankhurst and MLA’s Market Development Manager – Southeast Asia Spencer Whitaker.

The visit recognises the strategic importance of the Indonesian market to the Australian beef industry and national economy and comes on the back of Indonesia’s recently released 2026 import permits for 600,000 cattle.

The delegation is meeting with Indonesia’s beef cattle industry association, GAPUSPINDO, and representatives at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, as well as visiting feedlots, abattoirs, retail outlets and attending the National Animal Welfare Officers (AWO) Forum Competition where Dr Back will provide opening remarks.

Top of mind during the visit will be discussions with importers about price restrictions being placed on lotfeeders, according to Mr Harvey-Sutton.

“We have an excellent relationship with GAPUSPINDO and as an organisation, we will work closely with them as the collective industry faces challenging regulatory and trading conditions,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

Indonesian demand for Australian live cattle has been underpinned by resilient economic conditions and President Prabowo Subianto’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program which provided meals to around 55 million school children in 2025 with plans to extend it to all Indonesian children, pregnant women and elderly citizens in 2026.

Mr Harvey-Sutton said the live cattle trade with Indonesia was a mutually beneficial partnership that supported employment, nutrition and food security across Indonesia as well as the prosperity of northern Australia’s beef industry.

“With Dr Back having recently appointed as ALEC Board Chair and a new export year kicking-off, it was an ideal opportunity to visit our colleagues within Indonesia’s supply chain,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

“Over the years, our industry has nurtured and prioritised the partnership with Indonesia.

“Australia is in a unique position to support Indonesia’s growing demand for protein while providing jobs and economic opportunities for Indonesian communities and fostering world-leading animal welfare and husbandry systems.

“On the flip side, strong trade ties with Indonesia are critical to the profitability of northern Australia’s beef industry as well as providing a pricing floor for the broader domestic industry.”