ONLINE wool demand was consistent last week as the auction market held firm before the annual three-week recess.

AuctionsPlus market operations supervisor Tom Rookyard said there was online interest throughout the week and 181 bales were traded.

Online sales continued as the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator dipped to 1519c/kg clean on Wednesday and then added 3 cents on Thursday to close at 1522c/kg. The West Australian indicator closed 9 cents up at 1570c/kg.

The top-priced lot online was an eight-bale line of 15.1 micron AAA Merino fleece wool, that sold for 1853c/kg greasy, or 2507c/kg clean. The line had an average staple length of 96mm, yielded 73.9 percent, with a tensile strength of 32 Newtons/kilotex and a 0.8pc vegetable matter content. It was offered by Beecher Wool Services for SG & AEB.

A 12-bale line of 17.1 micron wool with a yield of 70.6pc, staple length of 58mm and 4.5pc vm sold for 1105c/kg clean, or 1565c/kg greasy.

A three-bale line of 18.2 micron fleece sold for 1126c/kg greasy, or 1784c/kg clean. It yielded 63.1pc, was 86mm long, with a tensile strength of 43N/kt and 6.6pc vm.

A 15-bale line of 19.1 micron Merino fleece wool made 1271c/kg greasy, or 1758c/kg clean. The line yielded 72.3pc, was 99mm long, with a tensile strength of 33N/kt and 1.7pc vm.

A single bale of 20.2 micron fleece with a yield of 72.9pc, an average staple length of 73mm, tensile strength of 55N/kt and 6pc vm sold for 920c/kg greasy, or 1496c/kg clean.

A 16-bale line of 21.2 micron Merino fleece was sold for 1038c/kg greasy, or 1504c/kg clean. The line had a staple length of 102mm, a yield of 69pc, with a tensile strength of 42N/kt and 2pc vm.

A nine-bale line of 22 micron wool, with a yield of 65.7pc, staple length of 107mm, tensile strength of 30N/kt and 0.5pc vm made 956c /kg greasy, or 1455c/kg clean. Wool auctions sales resume on Wednesday August 9.

Source: AuctionsPlus.