SOME relief for the beleaguered northern Australia cattle industry has arrived.

Indonesian trade officials have announced a decision to lift restrictions on prime cuts of boxed beef and bring forward the July-August-September quota for live cattle imports.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh said this would lift the spirits of Queensland producers and exporters.

Mr McVeigh, who visited Indonesia two weeks ago in a bid to rebuild trade relations, said that at the moment Queensland's beef industry needed every bit of good news it could get.

"This decision from Indonesia, which up to now has been scaling back imports, will give our producers, processors and exporters hope and confidence for the future.

Mr McVeigh said that during meetings with Indonesian officials, he was given strong indications that restrictions would be eased to redress soaring beef prices, particularly for the Ramadan religious festival.

"We'll have to wait and see what this ultimately means," he said.