Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture last week released 2100 heads of thin tail type sheep from the animal quarantine installation in Surabaya, East Java to be transported to Riau. From Riau, the animals valued at USD 264,000 will be exported to Malaysia by sea in early July. Inkopmar Cahaya Buana, the exporter has signed a two-year contract with Malaysian importer Kamran Group. In the first year 60,000 heads of sheep will be exported to Malaysia.
Rio Lukman, President Director said for the first year, the company plans to export 5000 heads every month, valued at USD 628,000. “In the second year, we are targeting 100,000 heads in total,” he said. To meet the demand, Inkopmar partners with hundreds of sheep farmers in East Java. “Malaysia so far imports sheep from Australia. Indonesia has better bargaining power because of our proximity. So we can offer better prices,” said Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman.