Wool trade eases with high dollar

A stronger kiwi dollar and continuing sluggish demand has seen the wool market ease further, apart from some targeted types, says New Zealand Wool Services International marketing executive Paul Steel.

Of the 11,100 bales on offer at the North and South Island sales, 89 per cent sold. There were considerable price variations for comparable types between the two selling centres, with the poorer-style North Island wools coming down the most.

Compared with the last sale on November 28, the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was up 0.81 per cent.

Steel says that compared to the last time wool was offered on November 21, a small offering of merino fleece was 2 to 3.5 per cent firmer. Mid-micron fleeces were 2 to 4 per cent easier.

Compared with the November 28 sale, fine crossbred full fleece and shears 3-4 inches and longer were firm to 2 per cent cheaper, and shorter types ranged from 1 to 4 per cent easier, with the poorer styles affected the most.

Good and average style coarse fleece was firm to 4.5 per cent cheaper, with poor styles in the North Island again 6 to 7 per cent weaker.

Coarse crossbred early shorn and second shears were firm to 4 per cent easier, with the North Island types down the most.

A nominal offering of early-season short lamb's fleece was firm to 2 per cent dearer. Long oddments were firm in the South and up to 9 per cent easier in the North. Short oddments were 2 to 6 per cent cheaper. There was limited competition, with most markets showing muted interest.

The next sale comprises about 5100 bales from the North Island, 40 per cent below the revised anticipated rostered quantity.