Greater ChinaOperations

China – Australia livestock trades up and running

China – Australia livestock trades are up and running and new entrants are eyeing the sector.

Over the weekend the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) welcomed the historic first seaborne shipment of live slaughter cattle to China, which departed Portland in Victoria on Saturday onboard the 2016-built, Vroon-controlled Gloucester Express.

The consignment of 1,200 cattle will be delivered to Shidao in Shandong Province, under the new health protocol agreement for feeder and slaughter cattle signed between Australia and China.
ALEC chairman, Simon Crean, said: “This first seaborne shipment to China is a groundbreaking moment for our industry and for Australia’s entire beef sector.”

Crean added: “This trade will add an extra dimension to Australia’s live cattle trade because we are meeting market demand which is specifically seeking well-bred live cattle delivered to the customer for fresh, premium beef.”

With an eye to what could become a booming tradelane, a new Chinese group is readying to launch two renovated ships into the market. Dalian-based Sinomarine Livestock Shipping Company will launch the first of two vessels, Yangtze Harmony, later this month. The other ship, Yangtze Fortune, is just finishing its conversion work in China. The ships will each be able to fit 5,500 cattle and 18,000 sheep.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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