Medium to broad Merinos and crossbred fleece were consistent performers on Wooltrade last week.

Wooltrade market operations manager Tony Benson said 458 bales were sold from all microns, but the medium to broad Merino wools and crossbreds has been performing consistently above expectations for some time.

Crossbred fleece is about as expensive as it has ever been, he said.

Mr Benson said Sydney’s AWEX Superfine sale last week did not reflect onto Wooltrade. However regular readers have seen consistent sales over the last few months.

Top price of 1336c/kg clean for 16.4u line

Wooltrade’s top price for the week of 1336c/kg clean for a three-bale 16.4 micron line was no surprise, he said. The line was offered by Roberts Ltd Tasmania and branded EJC IN DIA/ROSS. It measured 43 Newtons/kilotex in tensile strength with a staple length of 92mm, 74.1 percent yield and 1.1pc vegetable matter content.

“Just nine lots or 34 bales were sold this week for wool under 16.5 microns through Wooltrade,” he said.

“The 17-19 micron Merino fleece wool was on the nose this week and our prices were barely in line with the micron price guides (MPGs), but broader than that and we start seeing premiums.”

The 17 micron fleece topped at 1241c/kg clean, the 18 micron wool made up to 1207c/kg clean and the 19 micron fleece sold for up to 1219 cents, 10 cents above the guide. The 20 micron fleece sold for 1195 cents, up 20 cents on the MPG, while the 21 micron offering made up to 1154 cents, slightly behind the indicator.

Crossbred and cardings a few cents higher

Cardings and crossbreds are consistent stars on both the AuctionsPlus Online wool auction and Wooltrade, and most categories were a few cents higher last week, Mr Benson said.

On Wooltrade last week, a five-bale 24.5 micron line with a yield of 76.4pc and 1.1pc vm sold for 944c/kg clean; a six-bale line of 25.5 micron fleece that yielded 72pc, with 3.8pc vm, 102mm staple length and 39 Newtons/kilotex made 865c/kg clean and a 12-bale 27 mincron line with 0.1pc vm and a yield of 75.7pc sold for 754c/kg clean.

Physical market trend last week was positive

Mr Benson said it was a positive physical market for wool last week with some encouraging signs for prices.

“The AWEX EMI popped up seven cents to 1056 cents after a slow start and the trend continues for the best style and specification wool continuing to outperform average wool for price and buyer attention.

“Wool offerings in auction are sitting at 50,000 bales or more for a couple of weeks and it’s a good sign of a market with some fervour as prices improve, but our poorly performing Australian dollar is surely assisting the buoyant nature of wool prices.”

Mr Benson said Christmas is just around the corner and the Wooltrade offer-board will operate throughout the physical market recess.

Source: Wooltrade.