CONFIDENCE could be returning to the Australian wool market, with strong online sales reported by Wooltrade, after the close of the physical auctions last week.

Wooltrade market operations officer Tom Rookyard said the online trading system did not escape the trend of the physical market last week, when the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator retracted for the second consecutive week to close down 41 cents at 1222c/kg clean.

Mr Rookyard said buyers on Wooltrade.com.au were conspicuous by their absence early last week, with no wool traded until the close of the physical auction on Wednesday.

“On Thursday, after the auction closed, buyers keenly chased wools listed on Wooltrade.

“These were lots passed in at auction on the previous two days,” he said.

“Looking forward, confidence from overseas consumers seems to be returning, as online, strong enquiry has been seen against next week’s orders with over 200 bales already traded before the physical auction sale has commenced (this week).

“This may be due to the favorable exchange rate,” Mr Rookyard said.

“However, the strength of this possible surge will be tested this week.”

Top 15.8 micron line makes 1448c/kg clean

On Wooltrade last week, the top price was 1448c/kg clean (1005c greasy) for five bales of Merino weaners fleece of 15.8 micron, 69.4 percent yield, 76mm staple length, 32 Newtons/kilotex tensile strength and 0.7pc vegetable matter content. The line was branded “F/Cairnbank” and offered by Australian Wool Network.

A six-bale 16.5 micron line sold for 1403c/kg clean (933c greasy). It had a yield of 66.1pc, 80mm staple length, 29N/kt tensile strength and 0.7pc VM.

A six-bale 17.6 micron line made 1420c/kg clean (930c greasy) with a yield of 65.5pc, 76mm staple length, 32 N/kt tensile strength and 1.2pc VM.

The top 18.5 micron fleece line made 1419c/kg clean (975c greasy). The eight bale line had a yield of 68.7pc, a stple length of 92mm, tensile strength of 41N/kt and 0.6pc VM.

A 17-bale line of 19 micron fleece sold for 1363c/kg clean (996c greasy). The line had a yield of 73.1pc, staple length of 77mm, tensile strength of 38N/kt and 0.6pc VM.

The top-selling 20 micron line made 1300c/kg clean (875c greasy). The 12-bale lot tested with a yield of 67.3pc, staple length of 102mm, tensile strength of 29N/kt and with 0.4pc VM.

The top crossbred line was two bales of very clean 27 micron wool that made 874c/kg clean (660c greasy) and had yield of 75.5pc and 0.4pc VM.

Click here to see the latest Wooltrade Top Prices table.

Source: Wooltrade