STRONGER demand for wool at physical auctions was again reflected in online sales last week.

Wooltrade market operations officer Tom Rookyard said the strengthening market flowed to online wool, with just under 600 bales being traded on Wooltrade.

The Australian Wool market hit its highest point since early August last week, when the AWEX EMI reached 1296c/kg clean.

On Wooltrade, a nine-bale 17.6 micron line sold for 1551c/kg clean, or 1027c/kg greasy. This line yielded 66.6 percent, with an average staple length of 86mm, tensile strength of 41 Newtons/kilotex and 2p0c vegetable matter content.

A five-bale 18.1 micron line with a yield of 72.2pc, average staple length of 95 mm, tensile strength of 35N/kt and 1.3pc vm sold for 1524c/kg clean, or 1100c/kg greasy.

A 10-bale line of 19.3 micron fleece sold for 1406c/kg clean, or 855c/kg greasy. It had a yield of 60.8pc, average staple length of 88mm, tensile strength of 21N/kt and 0.2pc vm.

A 12-bale line of 20.8 micron wool yielding 69.1pc, with an average staple length of 103mm, tensile strength of 31N/kt and 1.4pc vm sold for 1405c/kg clean, or 971c/kg greasy.

An 18-bale line of 21.3 micron fleece sold for 1396c/kg clean, or 956c/kg greasy. The line yielding 68.5pc, with an average staple length of 103mm, tensile strength of 31N/kt and 1.3pc vm.

A seven-bale line of 22.5 micron fleece sold 1380c/kg clean, or 900c/kg greasy. The line had a yield of 65.2pc, an average staple length of 98mm, tensile strength of 34N/kt and 2.1pc vm.

The top priced lot on Wooltrade this week was a six-bale line of 15.1 micron fleece wool that made 1350c/kg greasy or 1760c/kg clean. It yielded 76.7pc, was 72mm long, with a tensile strength of 49N/kt and 0.5pc vm. This lot was branded BANGOR and offered by Roberts of Tasmania.

Mr Rookyard said prices for short carding lambs wool seemed to peak at the physical auctions.  However, on Wooltrade a six-bale line of 18.2 micron lambs fleece, 30mm long and with 1.2pc vm, sold for 800c/kg greasy or 1260c/kg clean. This lot was branded RENFREW and offered by Primaries of WA.

Mr Rookyard said the way the physical market responded ecould offer positive signals for the coming weeks.

“Looking forward, a smaller week of just over 45,000 bales is available at the physical sales at all three selling centres.

“With the $A exchange rate creeping up to US70 cents, further gains may occur if exporters remain in a short position.”

Source: Wooltrade.