AUSTRALIAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

Comment

Demand for NM and CM wool this week remained very consistent and this has helped to maintain our Authentico Index values around similar levels to last week. Keenest interest was around 18.5 to 21.5 micron with the selection of finer types very limited.

The general expectation leading into each sale has been for a softening trend in the market, particularly with the large volume sales that we are seeing week to week. However, the market has been extremely resilient despite the quality of the selection also deteriorating. We would have thought that the quantity on offer would have been dropping by now but grower held wool has been propping up the volume each week. A lot of this wool has been drought affected types held for 12 months or so and an enormous quantity of crossbred lamb’s wool. The passed in rate seems high across each sale but a closer look will indicate that the percentage of crossbred types being passed in is much greater than the percentage of merinos not selling to the trade.

AWEX Eastern Indicator compared with 05/03/2021

Eastern Indicator

Close: 1309

Change in % -0.08

If you want to learn more about AWEX indicators, visit the official website http://www.awex.com.au

Authentico Index Values

15 Micron

Close: 3101

Change in %:  -3.96

16 Micron

Close: 2566

Change in %: -1.53

17 Micron

Close: 2257

Change in %: +0.04

18 Micron

Close: 1958

Change in %: +0.31

19 Micron

Close: 1735

Change in %: +0.35

Authentico Indicator

Close: 2261

Change in %: -0.79

Forecast

The positive sign this week was the way that the Fremantle sale closed. Despite a slight easing in Sydney and Melbourne on Thursday, the Fremantle sale closed a little dearer. This is an unusual reaction and a sign that perhaps demand for greasy wool is more widespread than many anticipate. It might well need to be with 53,000 bales currently rostered for next weeks sale. The volume of fine and superfine types available has more or less finished for the season with just selected lots available each week. The focus is shifting to the 18.5-to-21.5-micron range because this is what is available. High VM types for carbonising are also selling well with exporters and traders able to sell into the selection.

Auction offering – current week

Market          Sale          Offered             Sold       Passed In

North                      S 37                     13527                       12490                7.7%

South                     M 37                    23346                       21385                8.4%

West                       F 37                      9607                         8280               13.8%

Auction offering – next week

Market          Sale          Sale days          Volume

North                      S 38                      T – W                         13356

South                     M 38                  T – W – T                      30923

West                       F 38                      T – W                          9078

 

If you want to see the complete Wool Sales Roster click here.