Indonesian live cattle exports resume to meet post-Ramadan rush Rush order: Australian cattle waiting at an Indonesian port on Tuesday. Photo: Eka Nickmatulhuda When the Indonesian government took offence at Australia's suspension of live cattle exports in 2011 and announced a new policy of "beef self-sufficiency," it assured its citizens that the local industry was capable of supplying all the country's needs. It's an emergency operation to try to meet the demand and keep a lid on soaring prices. Importers insist that all of the cattle will be slaughtered according to new, humane standards imposed in the wake of the animal cruelty revelations of 2011. As Indonesia's muslims prepare to celebrate "Lebaran" - the August 8 holiday following the fasting month of Ramadan - by cooking traditional beef dishes, the market price has risen from $7 to more than $11 per kilo. So, on July 19, Indonesia's agriculture minister Suswono began issuing new import permits - which might eventually number 25,000 head of cattle. The ministry has also waived its requirement that the cattle be sent over at less than 350kg each and fattened in Indonesia. The Indonesian trade minister, Gita Wirjawan, has also imposed a price on the imports of 10 per cent lower than market price. The Indonesians want these measures to reduce the per kilo price of beef to $7.60. But the new permits have come so late that exporters had only two weeks to book a ship and get them to this dock. It's unlikely they'll be able to fill the new quota. Northern Territory Livestock Exporters' Association chief Bernie Brosnan said only 9000 to 12,000 permits have actually been issued and received, and no more live cattle will get to Indonesia before the feasting season begins on August 8. "The balance will come in throughout rest of August and September," Mr Brosnan said. He assured Australians that the "Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System" for tracking and checking the humane slaughter of Australian cattle in Indonesian abattoirs would apply to all the live cattle landing in the next two months. The Indonesians have also called for up to 3000 tonnes in extra boxed beef imports, though exporters of that, too, say they will have difficulty finding ships. It's unclear yet whether the new permits are simply a one-off, or if they point to a more permanent easing of strict quota restrictions on cattle imports to Indonesia.