FORWARD wool trading activity picked up this week, though it was a challenging week on the spot auction market.

The strong finish to the auction series last week solidified the premiums being offered in forwards.

Trading was steady across the week, with the majority of trades focusing on the finer microns. The 19 micron contract traded in a tight band of 1630-1660 cents, but over ten different maturity months, from May through to October 2022.

In the start to the auction series on Tuesday, all microns were under pressure, with the finer qualities most affected. Large quantities, logistic uncertainties and delays causing financing issues for exporters were all cited as the causes. The softer market continued into Wednesday, with the gains of last week all but given back.

Forward contracts continued to trade at a premium to cash of between of 30 to 40 cents. Forward bidding for maturities out to the end of the season and into the spring came back in sympathy with the spot market, but premiums are still maintained into the New Year.

We expect that the whipsaw nature of the spot auction market is likely to continue as sentiment, finances, delays and auction quantities ebb and flow.

The value of growers setting forward targets has been evident over the last two months and is likely to continue as buyers look to hedge their forward positions.

Limited quantities are currently being bid into the first half of 2022 – 19 micron at 1630 cents and 21 micron at 1300 cents.

This week’s trades

May 18.5 micron                                             1780 cents                         5 tonnes

May 19 micron                                                1640 cents                         2 tonnes

June 19 micron                                                1640 cents                         5 tonnes

Aug 19 micron                                                 1630 cents                         5 tonnes

Sept 19 micron                                                1630/50 cents                  15 tonnes

Dec 18 micron                                                 1950 cents                          5 tonnes

Jan 19 micron                                                  1630 cents                          5 tonnes

April 2022 19 micron                                      1650/60 cents                  10 tonnes

June 2022 19 micron                                      1640 cents                          5 tonnes

Aug 2022 19 micron                                       1650 cents                          5 tonnes

Sept 2022 19 micron                                      1630 cents                        10 tonnes

Oct 2022 19 micron                                       1650/60 cents                  10 tonnes

Total 82 tonnes