AUCTIONSPLUS online wool sales increased slightly last week as demand also increased for most Merino and crossbred wools at physical auctions.

The online offer board sold 654 bales last week, an increase of 41 bales on the previous week.

AuctionsPlus said 16 micron wool was in high demand and 111 bales were sold to a top of 2035c/kg greasy or 2764c/kg clean. Buyers also bought 129 bales of 21 micron wool for up to 985c/kg greasy or 1269c/kg clean.

The top-priced lot sold online was two bales of 15.4 micron Australian Superfine SUPAAA wool that made 2130c/kg greasy or 2934c/kg clean. The DH/Walcha-branded lot had an average staple length of 75mm and contained 0.7pc vegetable matter. It was offered by Jemalong Wool.

Fine wools also attracted the most demand at the physical auctions held nationally last week. The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator made strong gains to close at its highest point this season, increasing 17 cents on Tuesday and a further 6 cents on Wednesday to close at 1343c/kg clean or US1040c/kg.

The decreased offering this week of 41,571 bales resulted in the pass in rate reducing to 7.5pc from 11.7pc the previous week.

Next week, there will be an estimated offering of 36,000 bales, with no auctions in Fremantle. It will be interesting to see whether demand is sustained despite this decrease and if it continues to bring the pass in rate down, AuctionsPlus said.

Source: AuctionsPlus.