Wool on display for sale in the Fremantle selling centre. Image – AWN.
WESTERN Australia’s wool trade has united to lift confidence in the sector in the wake of the proposed banning of live sheep exports by sea and Elders decision to sell its WA client wool in Melbourne.
WA wool brokers and exporters have formed a loose group called the WA Wool Collective, as the foundation of a broader industry group.
A WAWC statement last week said the trade collective intended to expand into an informal but aligned group of growers, farm consultants, brokers, private treaty brokers, exporters and logistics providers—all focused-on rebuilding and strengthening the Western Australian wool and sheep industry.
“This initiative is firmly centred on Western Australia—its production base, its efficiency as a supply region, and its long-term role as a competitive and sustainable wool-producing and exporting centre,” the WAWC said.
Exporter PJ Morris Wool managing director Peter Morris said brokers believed that WA sheep numbers would rebuild, while not expecting to get back the 40 percent decline due to the live sheep decision.
“But in two or three years’ time we could expect to lift the flock up 15-20 percent depending on seasonal conditions and prices.”
To support this momentum, one of the group’s first initiatives is an intensive industry discovery visit to China next month to provide direct, first-hand insight into the scale of investment in processing, the strength of global demand, and the critical role that Western Australian wool plays in international supply chains.
“We’ve got something to capture here – the wool market’s good, all the WA growers that are in sheep are holding sheep, the numbers have definitely stopped declining.”
After the China trip, Mr Morris said the informal group would decide what could be done to engage government at various levels to maintain industry momentum.
The collective said the objective of the China trip is clear: to learn as much as possible in a short period and return with practical knowledge and renewed confidence, enabling participants to engage with their peers and support informed decisions that drive increased investment and long-term growth across the Western Australian industry.
Mr Morris believed tour participants will come back with an upbeat view about the industry’s future in WA.
Westcoast Wool and Livestock director Brad Faithful said the initiative would send the message that the WA industry was positive and looking forward to increasing sheep numbers and Merino wool production.
“And we would like to reassure the Chinese market that price stability is very very important for the future of the industry going forward and we hope to build some strong relationships.”
He said it had recently been impressed on China that production was at its lowest point, with national wool auction offerings shrinking to about 30,000 bales of wool a week.
“It’s all first-hand receipts now, there is not a lot of wool standing around in store or on farms – that’s the message.”
Swan Wool managing director Paul Foley said the collective wanted to add some confidence into the industry narrative, especially among growers.
“Clearly, there was a bit of a kick in the guts recently with Elders announcement, so we just want to get together and talk about the possibilities here; we commercially think it is a very viable centre and so what we can do to get that out there.”
Mr Foley said the industry had adapted to the live sheep export situation and it was time to concentrate on what’s next.
Dyson Jones WA wool manager Peter Howie said it was important to highlight the WA Wool Selling Centre to overseas buyers and visit various processors with growers.
WA Merino Polo/Endeavour Wool Exports and AWN are also part of the initial collective.
Great initiative by the WA wool industry, a good time to be advocating for wool. NCWSBA wish the tour group all the best.