Indonesia raises cattle imports as beef prices soar

JAKARTA, Aug 11, 2015 (AFP) - Indonesia will issue permits to import another 50,000 cattle, the government said, after beef prices soared and butchers went on strike following a decision to dramatically reduce shipments from Australia.

Chief Economics Minister Sofyan Djalil announced the increase late Monday, although he did not say over what period the cattle would be imported.

"I have given consent for the state logistics agency to import 50,000 live cattle," he told reporters, adding it was a "short-term" measure. He did not say where they would come from, but much of Indonesia’s beef is shipped from Australia.