Live Export-Philippines

The smaller holder cattle farmers in Sialum are very dedicated to their herds. They have in the past seen the fruit of their labor. In the year 2004, the farmers organized a big live cattle shipment to Philippines. The live cows were from Kumukio, Kelanoa, Kangkeu, Keburum, Sialum, Qambu, Nanda and Wandokai.

All the cows were rounded and brought to Kelanoa and were put in a big stock yard waiting for the barge to deliver to Lae. The barge was organized by Ramu Agri Business. It loaded the cows for 6 hours. There were two shipments in total. The barge transferred the herds onto a foreign going barge at the Lae main wharf. After every necessary document was completed the barge left for Philippines.

This export fetched the small holders of Sialum a total of $2 million. This was a great achievement for the farmers. The market for live export is there but there is no one to organize this type of shipment. It the mercy of the Ramu Agri-Business the last shipment was made.

Currently, the farmers sell their cattle to either Trukai Agriculture a subsidiary of Trukai Industries or Ramu Agri-Business. They also do some local sales. This is especially done during festive seasons example Christmas and other occasions where a lot of cows are to be slaughter.