WOOL market strength flowed onto Wooltrade last week as the physical auctions failed to satisfy the appetite of buyers and exporters.

Wooltrade market operations supervisor Tom Rookyard said 660 bales were purchased online during the week as the physical wool market reached new heights.

The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator last week rose 15 cents to close at 1378 cents clean and the West Australian market indicator finished 6 cents up at 1444 cents, putting both at record high levels. The market has continued to strengthen, due to a potential constricted supply, aided by the $A-US exchange rate losing 1 percent last Wednesday, he said.

On Wooltrade, the top-priced lot was a single bale of AA Super Fine 13.8 micron weaners fleece, with an average staple length of 65mm, yield of 74.2pc, tensile strength of 36Newtons/kilotex and 0.4pc vegetable matter content that sold for 1380c/kg greasy, or 1860c/kg clean. It was branded Gudgie/Isabella and offered by Schute Bell of Bathurst.

A six-bale line of 17.5 micron Merino fleece sold for 1205c/kg greasy, or 1780c/kg clean. It yielded 67.7pc, with a staple length of 88mm, tensile strength of 43N/kt and 1.2pc vm.

A six-bale line of 18.1 micron fleece, with a yield of 69.8pc, average staple length of 79mm, tensile strength of 33N/kt and 0.8pc vm sold for 1212c/kg greas, or 1738c/kg clean.

A 15-bale line of 19.1 micron Merino fleece sold for 1335c/kg greasy, or 1648c/kg clean. It yielded 81pc, with staple length of 92mm, tensile strength of 36N/kt and 0.2pc vm.

Nine bales of 20.2 micron fleece, with a yield of 75.3pc, staple length of 90mm, tensile strength of 43N/kt and 0.4pc vm sold for 1125c/kg greasy, or 1494c/kg clean.

A five-bale line 21.1 micron wool sold for 910c/kg greasy, or 1468c/kg clean. The line yielded 62pc, was 70mm long, with a tensile strength of 54N/kt and 0.4pc vm.

A seven-bale line of 22.3 micron Merino fleece with a yield of 65.1pc, staple length of 106mm, tensile strength of 30N/kt and 0.7pc vm sold for 930c /kg greasy, or 1429c/kg clean. Three bales of 23.2 micron Merino fleece sold for 935c/kg greasy, or 1361c/kg clean. It yielded 68.7pc, with an average staple length of 103mm, tensile strength of 27N/kt and 0.1pc vm.

Online oddment sales were led by a single bale of 16.6 micron Merino pieces, with a yield of 68.7pc, staple length of 83mm, tensile strength of 39N/kt and 1.9pc vm that sold for 1130c/kg greasy, or 1645c/kg clean. The lot was branded Woodsden and was offered by Roberts of Tasmania.

Mr Rookyard said these record prices and gains by the market look to have slowed for now.

“The suddenness that the market decelerated on Thursday (last week) suggests that it has reached its peak.”

He said $A-US exchange rate has risen since last week and there is a large offering of 50,000 bales on offer across all three selling centres this week.

“There are doubts that the market can open and maintain its current values this week.”

Click here for the latest Wooltrade Top Prices Summary.

Source: Wooltrade.