Brazil's first live shipment of cattle to Vietnam arrives after nearly 30 days at sea

[Viet]

Landline
/ By Matt Brann
Posted Yesterday at 4:05am, updated Yesterday at 6:39am

The MV Nada unloading cattle in Vietnam.(
Supplied
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Brazil's first live export shipment of cattle to Vietnam has reached its destination, with around 14,000 bulls getting unloaded overnight in the port of Thi Vai.
Key points:

• Brazil's first shipment of live cattle to Vietnam has arrived
• The MV Nada was on route to Vietnam when Brazil halted its beef exports to China because of mad cow disease concerns
• Despite the long distance, the cattle are expected to be price competitive compared to Australian cattle

The shipment has arrived during a complicated time for Brazil's cattle industry, which is still dealing with fallouts from an outbreak of 'atypical' Bovine Spongy Encephalopathy (BSE) — commonly known as mad cow disease.
"There was definitely plenty of fear and reaction from everyone involved [with the shipment] when that BSE news came through," said agricultural consultant Michael Patching.

"There were initial concerns the shipment may not be accepted, but the Vietnamese responded and changed to a one-port discharge, and we'll have to wait and see how long the cattle stay in quarantine."
Dr Patching said the journey took nearly 30 days, and early reports suggested a low mortality rate of cattle on the MV Nada of around 0.2 per cent.
He said cattle were already being sourced in Brazil for a further two shipments.

Record high cattle prices in Australia is putting pressure on the live export trade into Vietnam.
ABC Rural: Matt Brann

What does this mean for Australia?
Brazil's historic first shipment to Vietnam was being watched closely by the cattle industry in Australia.
Vietnam is Australia's second-biggest customer for live cattle and imported close to 300,000 head last year.
"Live export markets [that take Australian cattle] are under pressure right now," said Michael Patching.

"Vietnam and Indonesia are both under significant pressure because of the [record high] price of Australian cattle."

"From reports coming in, the price of these Brazilian cattle are very competitive, they're cheaper than Australian cattle."

There is strong demand in Vietnam for heavy male cattle.(
Supplied: MLA (file photo)
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Dr Patching said Brazil's push to export boxed-beef into Vietnam could potentially have a more significant impact on the market than a few shipments each year of live cattle.

The cattle arriving from Brazil will not be subject to ESCAS, which is a mandatory animal welfare system used by Australia's live export trade.

Brazil's first live export shipment to Vietnam has arrived

Brazil's first live export shipment of cattle to Vietnam has reached its destination. What does this mean for Australia?

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