Market momentum persists ahead of Chinese New Year

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The Australian wool market extended its winning streak this week, with the Eastern Market Indicator climbing 16¢ to finish at 1,693¢/kg ahead of next week's Chinese New Year recess. With 37,301 bales offered and 35,417 sold, the passed-in rate this week was 5.1%.

The Northern indicator rose 20¢ to 1,737¢/kg clean. For the fine merino types, the 17.0 MPG jumped 40¢ to 2,298¢, while the 17.5 MPG added 39¢ to close at 2,267¢ and the 19.0 MPG lifted 30¢ to 2,091¢. Merino cardings in the north firmed 4¢ to 896¢/kg.

In Melbourne, the indicator added 12¢ to finish at 1,663¢/kg. The 17.0 MPG rose 18¢ to 2,276¢, while the 18.0 MPG gained 26¢ to 2,191¢ and the 19.0 MPG lifted 12¢ to 2,083¢. The 26 micron crossbred category rose 9¢ to 878¢, while the 28 micron fell 10¢ to 705¢. Merino cardings in the south jumped 45¢ to 914¢/kg.

The Western market also rose, climbing 16¢ to finish at 1,894¢/kg. The 17.0 MPG lifted 26¢ to 2,261¢, while the 18.5 and 19.0 micron categories strengthened by 30¢ and 23¢ to 2,139¢ and 2,075¢ respectively. AWEX reported that Oddments surged, with locks jumping 100 to 120¢ on day one. Merino cardings in the west rose 34¢ to 980¢/kg.

Currency movements continue to shape the market. In USD terms, the EMI rose 27¢ to 1,205¢/kg, its highest point since July 2019. AWEX noted that the EMI has risen on 19 of the 22 selling days since 4 November, gaining 276¢ or 19.5% in local currency and 272 US¢ or 29.7% in greenback terms. This meant that, Year-on-year, the EMI sits 501¢ or 42% higher, despite the Australian dollar trading 13.1% stronger than the same period last season.

This week in Mecardo, Andrew Woods examined the 20 to 22 micron price ratio to non-wool staple fibres (see article here). He found that falling supply has driven the price ratio close to 2018 highs around 9, with volume down 40% since then. He noted volume accounts for nearly two thirds of price ratio changes. Analysing deflated USD prices from the mid-1990s, he identified a slightly rising trend to 2010 before prices jumped to a higher level through to 2020. With current supply at extreme lows, the price ratio is likely to reach new levels above the 2018-2019 highs.

The week ahead….

Next week the market heads into recess for Chinese New Year, with sales resuming in the week beginning Monday 23 February.

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Data sources: AWEX, AWI, Mecardo

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