AUSTRALIAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

Comment

Exporters continue to face difficulties with shipping schedules. Delays from the dump, through the shipping terminals and a lack of space on the available ships are all impacting on the wool supply chain. There is no doubt that covid related issues are impacting on staff levels. Customers are agitated and exporters are facing delays in payment with most contracts reliant on letter of credit (LC) terms and shipment dates. This is limiting the cash available to trade the large volume on offer. At the same time, we’ve seen a spike in supply with next week’s Melbourne sale listed for 32,000 bales. It’s unlikely that this volume will flow onto the market following the correction this week, but still enough to put some doubt in customers minds in the short term. With the exception of the best fine wool which closed firm, all other types and descriptions eased over the week. The Authentico indicator, focusing on farms who no longer mules, was 0.5% easier and performed better than the overall market (AWEX EMI down 1.9%). We’ve often said that the mulesing status can be a good insurance policy for wool growers. The NM/CM clips are not as affected in a falling market when compared to the general supply.

AWEX Eastern Indicator compared with 04/02/2022

Eastern Indicator

Close: 1422

Change in % -1.86

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

Authentico Index Values

15 Micron

Close: 3857

Change in %: +1.77

16 Micron

Close: 3294

Change in %: +2.14

17 Micron

Close: 2815

Change in %: -1.23

18 Micron

Close: 2367

Change in %: -1.58

19 Micron

Close: 1870

Change in %:  -4.1

Authentico Indicator

Close: 2786

Change in %: -0.46

Forecast

The sharp increase in supply next week has in some way been impacted by previous delays in shearing. AWTA test figures for January were low as a result of wet weather. This wool is now flowing onto the market as previously held up shearing is now completed.

The staple length of the Australian clip is certainly becoming a major issue for European interests who have generally required a lower co-efficient in variation of length (in top). The push towards a plainer type of sheep, the tremendous season and delays in shearing due to the weather, are all factors resulting in a general increase in the staple length of our clip. Fleece lines well in excess of 100mm greasy staple length are now more common than not, even for superfine wool.

Auction offering – current week

Market          Sale         Offered        Sold       Passed In

North                      S 32                  11933                  10236                  14.2%

South                     M 32                 21706                  18866                  13.1%

West                       F 32                   12720                  9203                  27.6%

Auction offering – next week

Market          Sale          Sale days     Volume

North                      S 33                    T / W                     12464

South                     M 33                 T  / W / T                32640

West                       F 33                     T / W                     10698

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