BUYER preference for higher quality wool was reflected in online demand on the AuctionsPlus platform last week.

AuctionsPlus regional sales associate Ed Murphy said the sharp decline the wool market has been experiencing lately steadied a little last week, but most prices across all physical auction selling centres decreased last week.

With 43,000 bales offered at the auctions last week, the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator closed the 16 cents lower at 1963c/kg, with a national pass-in rate of 10.3 percent.

“This recent reluctance of buyers has largely been attributed to the quality of wool on offer as a large amount is low strength and low yielding.

“This has come on the back of a reported selectiveness of buyers at auction, with the higher quality wools being rewarded,” he said.

“This sentiment was reflected online as there were 76 bales sold on AuctionsPlus wool, 50 of which were Merino fleece in the 19-20 micron range.

The top price on AuctionsPlus last week was 1585c/kg greasy or 2300c/kg clean, for a five-bale line of 19.4 micron Merino fleece. The line yielded 68.8pc with an average staple length of 100mm, a tensile strength of 29 Newtons/kilotex and 0.5pc vegetable matter content.

A 13-bale line of 27.5 micron fleece made the top crossbred price of 830c/kg greasy or 1181c/kg clean. The line yielded 70.3pc with 0.5pc vm.

“With an offering of 38,950 bales this week, the decreased volume may have mills looking forward.

“Some interest online emerging early this week with 16 Merino fleece bales sold online as of Tuesday morning and early signs suggest a positive shift in the market this week.”