ONLINE wool sales more than doubled last week as the physical auction market also lifted, with strong demand for crossbred wools.

The AuctionsPlus online offer board traded 814 bales, 530 more than the previous week, and although finer wools were sought after, crossbred types sold in the largest quantities.

AuctionsPlus sold 174 bales of 20 micron wool for up to 885c/kg greasy, or 1313c/kg clean, and 109 bales of 17 micron wool to a top price of 1740c/kg greasy, or 2358c/kg clean.

The top priced lot sold online was a five-bale 15.9 micron Merino fleece line that made 1890c/kg greasy, or 2708c/kg clean. This lot was branded ‘Uralla’ and offered by Nutrien Ag Solutions – Victoria. It had 1.7pc vegetable matter content and an average staple length of 78mm.

At the physical auctions, the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) closed out the week up 29 cents at 1361c/kg, or US1005c/kg in US dollar terms, with all the gains experienced on Tuesday, then holding firm on Wednesday.

AuctionsPlus said as the selling week opened considerably stronger than previous weeks, many overseas orders were booked early in lieu of the anticipated dearer price trends. This week’s higher prices have reportedly encouraged growers to sell, resulting in an expected larger national offering for this week.