Merino sheep in sunset

No one would be getting too excited about the wool sale results this week, however the slightly improved price outcome across almost all categories was a welcome relief after three weeks of falling markets. Despite the stable result this week, USD quotes for the 18 to 22 MPGs all continue to hold at the bottom of their recent trading ranges.

The Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) lifted by 6¢ this week to close at 1,116¢ while the Australian dollar eased slightly to US$0.692 which influenced the EMI in USD terms to lift by a more modest 2¢ to 773¢. The Western Market Indicator picked up 9 cents from the previous sale to settle at 1,85¢.

Growers offered 30,821 bales this week, and with a reduced pass-in rate of 5.1% as a result of the firm market, 29,264 bales were sold, 4,500 more than last week.

Mecardo reported this week that if the current trend continues of growers electing to pass-in wool and hold, the available stocks including production of fresh shorn wool this year will be back near the past decade level of 2.0 million bales. Should this trend be continued total bales available for export in season 2020-21 could reach 2.4 million, a supply volume not seen since 2005-06.

This week Fine Merino types were the best performer lifting 10 to 25 cents, while 18.5 MPG and stronger improved by 5 cents.

The Crossbred sector recovered much of last weeks fall to post a 15-cent lift, while skirtings were similarly improved.

Cardings failed to catch on to the stronger market with 20 cent falls reported.

Next week

Next week all centres sell with 36,712 bales on offer. This is the final sale before the winter recess. Exporters will be working hard to secure new orders for the sale resumption at a time of great uncertainty.

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Click on graph to expand

Click on graph to expand

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Data sources: Riemann, AWEX, Mecardo

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Aerial drone photo of sheep in Winilippe Yards KondoolkaStation , SA by Stefanie Roeske
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