ONLINE wool-buying activity was consistent last week, as the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator lost nine cents to close on 1311c/kg clean.

Wooltrade market operations supervisor Tom Rookyard said 187 bales of wool were sold online as the market consolidated in the last week of sales before the three-week wool recess.

He said the A-US dollar exchange rate last week meant the market actually improved in US dollar terms, with the EMI in US dollar terms briefly sneaking over the 1000 cent mark on Wednesday, before dipping back down to 998c on Thursday.

“This is the first time the $US EMI has been over the 1000-cent point in over 12 months.

“As one buyer concluded, the 1 percent slip in the market could be almost attributed to the 1pc gain in the exchange rate.”

Mr Rookyard said the top-priced lot on Wooltrade last week was a 14µ micron SUPAAA weaners fleece line branded NP/E and offered by Landmark Melbourne that sold for 1205c/kg greasy or 1751c/kg clean. The line had a tensile strength of 30 Newtons/kilotex, an average staple length of 83mm and 0.2pc vegetable matter.

A five-bale line of 17.5 micron wool sold for 945c/kg greasy, or 1484c/kg clean. It was 80mm long, yielded 63.7pc, with a tensile strength of 30N/kt and 1.2pc vm.

A six-bale line of 18.4 micron fleece with a yield of 76.3pc, staple length of 104mm, tensile strength of 46N/kt and 0.5pc vm sold for 1150c/kg greasy, or 1507c/kg clean.

Nine bales of 19.2 micron fleece wool with a yield of 69.6pc, staple length of 94mm, tensile strength of 33N/kt and 0.5pc vm sold for 1037c/kg greasy, or 1490c/kg clean.

A 12-bale line of 20.8 micron Merino fleece sold for 940c/kg greasy, or 1487c/kg clean. The line yielded 63.2pc with an average staple length of 98mm, a tensile strength of 36N/kt and 1pc vm.

A three-bale line of 21.4 micron fleece made 910c/kg greasy, or 1485c/kg clean. The line yielded 61.3pc, with an average staple length of 105mm, tensile strength of 35N/kt and 1pc vm.

Thirteen bales of 21.4 micron fleece wool with a yield of 71.2pc, a mean staple length of 113mm, a tensile strength of 34N/kt and 0.1pc vm sold for 1050c/kg greasy, or 1475c/kg clean.

Fine crossbred fleece wool in an 11-bale 25 micron line that yielded 62pc with 1pc vm sold for 725c/kg greasy, or 1169c/kg clean.

Fine Merino bellies in a three-bale 19 micron line with a yield of 52.5pc, staple length of 87mm, tensile strength of 25N/kt and 2.7pc made 713c/kg greasy, or 1361c/kg clean. The line was branded Hebberman & Sons/DP and offered by Elders Adelaide.

Mr Rookyard said the physical auctions have closed in a very positive position, but supply is becoming a very important factor.

Click here to read the latest Wooltrade Top Prices Summary.

Source: Wooltrade.