STRONG demand for medium Merino wool helped boost online bale sales on the AuctionsPlus offer board last week.

The online offer board sold 460 bales, including 150 bales of 20 micron fleece and 96 bales of 19 micron wool.

The 19 micron wool sold to a top of 1225c/kg greasy or 1791c/kg clean, and the 20 micron wool made to 915c/kg greasy or 1378c/kg clean.

The top-priced lot online was two bales of 14.8 micron Australian superfine fleece wool that sold for 2700c/kg greasy or 3719c/kg clean. The line was branded ‘Swanston’ and had an average staple length of 77mm, with 0.2pc vegetable matter content. It was offered by Nutrien Ag Solutions in Victoria.

The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) held firm last week and closed at 1420c/kg clean, down three cents, or US1059c/kg in US$ terms. At the close of the week the passed-in rate was 12.6pc, suggesting the abundant supply is being met with similar demand, AuctionsPlus said. At the online and physical selling centres, demand for fine and superfine wool remained, with heavy competition driving a price premium.

Source: AuctionsPlus