Wool campaign making strides
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
Increased activity from China and India helped lift some wool sector prices significantly for the 11,700 bales on offer this week, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
There was an 88% clearance. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies strengthened 0.68% with market demand overriding this potentially negative influence.
Dawson says merino fleece followed the Australian market trend over recent sales, increasing 10% to 15%. Mid micron fleece 24.5 to 26 micron was less in demand, easing by 1% to 2% with 26.5 to 31.5 micron firm to 3% stronger.
Fine crossbred full fleece came under strong competition with prices generally 5% to 7.5% dearer. Fine Crossbred 3/5 and 3/4 inch shears were also strongly contested, lifting 6% to 10%. The shorter types barely changed.
Good colour coarse crossbred fleece were 3% to 5% dearer with average styles firm to 2% dearer. Coarse Long Second Shears were 3% to 5% firmer with shorter types generally 5% to 9% stronger.
Strong competition from China and India was supported by Western Europe, Middle East, United Kingdom and Australasia.
The next sale on November 1 comprises a reduced volume of about 6800 bales of North Island wools.
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