Little movement on the wool front this week

The wool market presented a softer tone this week with most Micron price guides easing slightly. Demand was weaker with fewer bales sold alongside a higher pass-in rate compared to last week.

>Selective demand by buyers pushed the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) down 7 cents to 1,131 ¢/kg clean. In US $ terms, the market also fell by 6 ¢/kg clean. The Western wool market tagged the east coast with the Western Market Indicator (WMI) easing 6¢ to 1,267¢/kg.

Wool Growers responded to the easing market by holding firm which led to an increase of the pass-in rate to 8.0%. This resulted in 5,600 fewer bales sold this week compared to last.  

Finer (<18.0 μm) stylish (MF4) Merino fleece lots with favourable additional measurements and declared Non-Mulesed status were well supported in Melbourne. However, the bulk of Tuesday’s offering (≥ 18.5 μm) trended lower. The sector initially eased on Wednesday, before positive signs emerged towards day’s end. Finer (≤ 18.5 μm), stylish (MP4) Merino skirtings lifted 15¢ on Tuesday with no change in other types and descriptions. The sector was unchanged on Wednesday. The 32 μm MPG gained 10¢ on Tuesday, with prices steady for other types and descriptions on both days. A small offering of oddments was largely unchanged.

This week on Mecardo, Andrew Woods looked at the supply of RWS-accredited wool & the prices achieved (read more here).  Most merino and crossbred wool prices are struggling along at low levels, with the exception of the sub-16 micron categories. In the article,  Andrew investigates merino price levels, RWS share of sales and changes in volumes by micron category.  

Next week

Next week’s offering is currently rostered at 41,535 bales with all centres selling on Tuesday & Wednesday. This scale of offering will test the market given the subdued demand currently in place.

Have any questions or comments?

We love to hear from you!

Click on graph to expand

Click on graph to expand

Data sources: Nutrien Ag Solutions, AWEX, AWI, Mecardo

Make decisions with confidence- ask about our board packs, bespoke forecasting and risk management services

Have any questions or comments?

We love to hear from you!
Sheep packed into loading pen on a farm with dark clouds above
Wool

More bang for buyer buck

The 38,904 bales offering this week proved too much for the market to absorb without a further price decline. This coupled with a fall in

Read More »
Mob of sheep moving in dusty yard
Wool

Merino micron volumes and price

Most merino and crossbred wool prices are struggling along at low levels, with the exception of the sub-16 micron categories. This article investigates merino price

Read More »

Want market insights delivered straight to your inbox?

Sign up to the mailing list to get regular updates to new analysis and market outlooks

Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published

Commodity conversations podcast cover image, a illustration of a sheep standing on a cow's back with grain either side
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.

Photo of a farmer surrounded by Merino sheep in dusty yards
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. 

Image of harvested grain pouring into a chaser bin
SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES STATEMENT BROCHURE

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.