WOOLTRADE sales increased last week as the Australian physical market made its first gain since mid-February.

With the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator closing at 1227c/kg clean last week, up four cents, Wooltrade market operations supervisor Tom Rookyard said buyer confidence returned online and 153 bales were traded on Wooltrade.com.au

The top-priced Wooltrade lot was a five-bale line 15.5 micron SupAAA fine fleece wool that sold for 1984c /kg clean, or 1450c/kg greasy. The line branded Glenbank and offered by Elders Victoria yielded 73.1 percent with an average staple length of 75mm, tensile strength of 42 Newtons/kilotex and 0.5pc vegetable matter content.

A 15-bale line of 19.1 micron fleece sold for 1331c/kg clean, or 865c/kg greasy. The line yielded 65pc with an average staple length of 98mm, a tensile strength of 27N/kt and 1.5pc vm.

A 12-bale line of 20.2 micron wool sold for 1289c/kg clean, or 829c/kg greasy. The 112mm long lot yielded 64.3pc, with a tensile strength of 24N/kt and 1.4pc vm.

A seven-bale line of 21.4 micron fleece with a yield of 60.8pc, average staple length of 93mm, tensile strength of 26N/kt and 1.4pc vm made 1275c/kg clean or 775c/kg greasy.

An 11-bale line 18.4 micron Merino pieces sold for 1244c/kg clean, or 774c/kg greasy. The line had a yield of 62.2pc, 81mm mean staple length, tensile strength of 25N/kt and 3.3pc vm. It was branded Oaklands and offered by Elders Adelaide.

Mr Rookyard said the Sydney wool auctions are being held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this week.

“This sale has more than the usual supply for Sydney, with over 15,000 bales on offer.

“Additionally, there is about 25,000 bales on offer in Melbourne and 11,000 bales in Fremantle, thus a total 51,000 bales are offer for the week,” he said.

“The exchange rate dollar will once again play a major role in the market strength.

“The following week is a recess in auctions due to the Easter break. Thus, the extra supply available this week may be counter balanced by following recess week.”

Click here for last week’s Wooltrade Top Prices Summary.