Indonesia has issued import permits for another 50,000 Australian cattle in response to a sharp spike in the price of beef.

It comes after Indonesia last month issued import permits for an initial 50,000 head of Australian cattle for the July to September quarter, down by 80 per cent on the previous quarter.

Since then the cost of a kilogram of beef at local markets has shot up by about 40 per cent, and Indonesian butchers have gone on strike because their customers cannot afford it.

Indonesia's Cattle and Buffalo Farmers' Association has admitted the country cannot meet supply.

Indonesia's trade minister Rachmat Gobel responded by issuing permits to bring 50,000 more Australian cattle into Indonesia.

Instead of issuing the permits to local importers, the ABC has been told the state-owned logistics agency BULOG is to import cattle ready for slaughter, rather than beasts that need to be fattened in feedlots and take months to get to market.

A spokesman for Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said he was encouraged to hear the reports.

But he said the Government had not received confirmation from Indonesia about the volume and type of cattle.

The Australian Livestock Exporters' Council said it was difficult to meet the demand for cattle on a makeshift basis.

"This ad hoc spot basis for seeking livestock makes life quite difficult," chief executive Alison Penfold said.

"If there are permits made available, the industry will work hard to supply the cattle.

"But we need the specs. We need the details."

NT, Queensland to discuss exports with Indonesia

NT Primary Industry Minister Willem Westra van Holthe, who is in Indonesia with a cattle trade delegation, welcomed the news and said he and Queensland Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne would hold discussions with their Indonesian counterparts.

"Today, the live export trade is worth around $230 million to the Territory's economy annually and we envisage that will only increase in the future," he said.

NT Cattleman's Association CEO Tracey Hayes, a member of the trade delegation to Indonesia, said it could take some time to supply the extra cattle.

"It's not impossible and there will be producers that are in a position to be able to supply to this market," she said.

"It takes some time obviously to supply into the live export market."