BROADER Merino and comeback wool continued to dominate online Wooltrade sales last week.

Wooltrade market operations supervisor Tom Rookyard said for the second week in a row, the wool market last week continued to make ground on what was lost during May.

“AuctionsPlus sold online 286 bales.

“Once again 65 percent of the bales sold were in the broader end, being 20 micron, 21 micron and 22 micron fleece wool.”

Mr Rookyard said leading up to the physical auctions on Monday and Tuesday last week, AuctionsPlus had keen buyer activity, with 140 bales being sold.

“Then a further 109 were sold on Wednesday.

“This market activity was reflected in the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator having 22 cents and 5 cents added on Wednesday and Thursday to close at 1533 c/kg clean.

“There was no auction in West Australia.”

Mr Rookyard said at the physical auctions there was strong activity on Wednesday, but it appeared to run out of puff by the close on Thursday.

Online, a seven-bale line of 18 micron SUPAAAM fleece wool sold for 1605c/kg greasy or 2261c/kg clean. The line yielded 71pc, had an average staple length of 93mm, with a tensile strength of 42 Newtons and 0.5pc vegetable matter content.

A 12-bale line of 19.5 micron AAAM with a yield of 71.8pc, length of 64mm, tensile strength of 39N/kt and 0.4pc vm made 1170c/kg greasy and 1630cc/kg clean.

A 15-bale line of 20.9 micron AAM sold for 938c/kg greasy or 1553c/kg clean. The line yielded 60.4pc, was 96mm long, with a tensile strength of 38N/kt and 0.8pc vm.

A 15-bale line of 21.4 micron AAAM with a yield of 68.9pc, an average staple length of 99mm, tensile strength of 29N/kt and 0.6pc vm made 1058c/kg greasy or 1536c/kg clean.

A five-bale line of 22.1 micron ACOM sold for 1020c/kg greasy or 1365c/kg clean. The line yielded 74.7pc, was 98mm long, with a tensile strength of 28N/kt and 0.2pc vm.

Online the top price lot was a five-bale line of 16.5 micron AAAM wool that made 1350c/kg greasy or 2265c/kg clean. The line yielded 59.6pc, with an average staple length of 69mm, tensile strength of 36N/jkt and 3.3pc vm. It was branded Castlemaine and offered by Jemalong Wool. Jemalong Wool also sold a three-bale line of 16.6 micron fleece wool, for 1400c/kg greasy or 2096c/kg clean, that had a yield of 66.8pc, length of 70mm, tensile strength of 32N/kt and 2.5pc vm. This line was branded D&R Reid/Aldon.

“Looking forward, this week is the last week for this financial year and all three selling centres are selling with an estimated 34,000 bales on offer.

“The following week is the opening sale for 2017/18 and an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 bales will be available,” Mr Rookyard said.

“The volume in the coming weeks will no doubt impact on the market, as overseas mills are aware of this position.”

Source: Wooltrade.