The Australian wool market ended the 2021 sales year with a marginal decline, however as buyers chased specific lots some types finished at stronger levels.
Generally, the wool sale result can be
seen as a solid end to a year of uncertainty.
The Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) slid 2ȼ for the week to close at 1,358ȼ. The Australian dollar again moved lower, falling again by 0.3 cents with the US/Au rate quoted at US$0.7108. The EMI in US dollar terms eased slightly, falling 6ȼ to settle at 965ȼ.
It was a mixed bag of results. The 18 micron in Melbourne lifted the most on the week previous, up 17ȼ to settle at 2,075ȼ, while the 21 MPG fell by 11 cents.
The Western Market Indicator fell by 9ȼ to finish the week at 1408ȼ. Fremantle sold 5,793 of the 7,024 on offer, with 17.5% of offered bales passed in.
The national offering increased on the previous week for the final sale with 40,862 bales offered, 3,800 more than last week. The national pass-in rate was also increased to 13.7% which resulted in 35,265 bales sold, 800 more than last week.
The crossbred indicators were also mixed, with the 28 MPG quoted falling 19ȼ, while the 30 MPG lifted 8ȼ.
Cardings improved by 15ȼ in Melbourne but fell by 1ȼ in Sydney and 17ȼ in Fremantle.
On Mecardo this week (view article here), Andrew Woods looked at the Vegetable Matter content across the wool producing regions. Since the 1990s sheep production in south west Victoria and southern South Australia has swung back from historically high levels of merino towards prime lamb production. By default this has concentrated merino production in the higher VM production regions, a trend intensified by a southern movement in the rainfall zones. The average VM in the merino clip is likely to be higher than would have been expected two decades ago.
The week ahead….
Sales resume after the traditional three week Christmas break.
With the eternal battle between enterprises for farm resources continuing, it is interesting to stand back and see what has changed and what hasn’t between
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In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.
Final sale for 2021 posts small decline
The Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) slid 2ȼ for the week to close at 1,358ȼ. The Australian dollar again moved lower, falling again by 0.3 cents with the US/Au rate quoted at US$0.7108. The EMI in US dollar terms eased slightly, falling 6ȼ to settle at 965ȼ.
It was a mixed bag of results. The 18 micron in Melbourne lifted the most on the week previous, up 17ȼ to settle at 2,075ȼ, while the 21 MPG fell by 11 cents.
The Western Market Indicator fell by 9ȼ to finish the week at 1408ȼ. Fremantle sold 5,793 of the 7,024 on offer, with 17.5% of offered bales passed in.
The national offering increased on the previous week for the final sale with 40,862 bales offered, 3,800 more than last week. The national pass-in rate was also increased to 13.7% which resulted in 35,265 bales sold, 800 more than last week.
The crossbred indicators were also mixed, with the 28 MPG quoted falling 19ȼ, while the 30 MPG lifted 8ȼ.
Cardings improved by 15ȼ in Melbourne but fell by 1ȼ in Sydney and 17ȼ in Fremantle.
On Mecardo this week (view article here), Andrew Woods looked at the Vegetable Matter content across the wool producing regions. Since the 1990s sheep production in south west Victoria and southern South Australia has swung back from historically high levels of merino towards prime lamb production. By default this has concentrated merino production in the higher VM production regions, a trend intensified by a southern movement in the rainfall zones. The average VM in the merino clip is likely to be higher than would have been expected two decades ago.
The week ahead….
Sales resume after the traditional three week Christmas break.
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Data sources: AWEX, AWI, Mecardo
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The wool market returned from its three-week Christmas break making a very strong start to 2025. The market was assisted by a weaker AU dollar
History of the Southern hemisphere sheep flock
The recent AWPFC forecast for wool production to be down to levels of the early 1920s (and 2019) warrants a look at what has been
Wool production changes across Australia’s sheep regions
With the eternal battle between enterprises for farm resources continuing, it is interesting to stand back and see what has changed and what hasn’t between
More of the same for wool
Compared to last week it was a similar offering, same pass-in rate, and limited market moves. The wool market delivered again on its 2024 theme
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Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published
Listen to the podcast
Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.
Research: Analysis of the Australian sheep flock
In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
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We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.