Wooltrade sales eased as the physical market relaxed slightly last week, after a near record breaking run for wool prices.

But Wooltrade market operations manager Tony Benson said there were a few notable sales across the week.

“Wooltrade’s top price was for a 16.5 micron stylish Merino fleece lot that sold for 1509c/kg clean.

“At 74.2 percent yield, 94mm staple length, 33 Newtons/kilotex of tensile strength and just 0.3pc vegetable matter, this lot was offered by Fox and Lillie rural and branded KOORINGAL.”

Mr Benson said it seems there is renewed interest with superfine wool as many buyers across the trade looked to Wooltrade to secure wool better than 17 microns.

“These searches should turn into buying in the coming weeks, but I suspect not in big volumes.”

Mr Benson said the question for the next few months is volume.

“I am gathering plenty of woolgrowers have dragged their wool out of store and into the market whilst these prices are hot, but what is left for buyers over the coming months?

“On Wooltrade around this period we see wool volumes dipping, but listings are very low leading into winter,” he said.

“Will this drive the market in the future?

“Maybe, it just depends on demand being greater than supply and that looks like happening in the short term.”