This week’s U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Audio Report is all about Indonesia. While the country was once a top 10 volume market for U.S. beef exports, government efforts to bolster the country’s level of self-sufficiency in beef production have given exporters inconsistent access to Indonesia in recent years.

Joel Haggard, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president for the Asia Pacific, reports that Indonesia has relaxed its import regulations to some degree for 2016, which could increase business opportunities for U.S. exporters.

“With more cuts eligible from the US, including export staples such as short cuts and short ribs, we predict we will see higher US volumes in years,” he said. “The US probably has the best opportunity in years to supply Indonesia because Australia’s live cattle export supply will be constrained by where that country is at in terms of its own cattle cycle and the consequent high beef import prices from Australia.”

Haggard cautions that this market will still remain very challenging, as Indonesia will continue to require importers to purchase a certain volume of domestic beef before being granted import permits. Indonesia will also remain closed to several high-demand variety meat items, including beef hearts and livers.

Listen to the full report here:
USMEF Weekly Report-Indonesia's Import Restrictions