AUSTRALIAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

Comment

The market sentiment was clearly more confident from the opening bid this week and prices steadily improved as the week progressed. The selection of good fine wool was also quite poor. There is now very limited good fine wool available so it’s difficult to compare from week to week. While prices improved within a similar range for all microns and types, there was a noticeable improvement in the buyer interest in the finer types on Wednesday. Fine wool has been neglected for a few months but now that supply has almost dried up, we could well see prices improve. Simple supply and demand economics. It’s in the finer microns that we do tend to see the greatest price fluctuations.

AWEX Eastern Indicator compared with 01/03/24

Eastern Indicator

Close: 1172

Change in % +1.2

Authentico Index Values

15 Micron

Close: 3537

Change in %: +5.7

16 Micron

Close: 2264

Change in %: +2

17 Micron

Close: 1927

Change in %: +2.3

18 Micron

Close: 1744

Change in %: +0.5

19 Micron

Close: 1582

Change in %:  +2

Authentico Indicator

Close: 2066

Change in %: +2.3

Forecast

The small volumes for sale and what is likely to be a shipping squeeze for export prior to Easter have created a much better market tone. The small volumes are certainly helping the market along. This is despite a continuation of generally poor demand. It’s following a similar trend of the past few years. Supply, or a general lack of it, is playing a much greater part in the market price than it did 10 years ago. Particularly in the merino sector.

Melbourne will sell Wednesday and Thursday next week with a public holiday on Monday. Sydney and Fremantle will follow the usual sale rotation and sell on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Auction offering – current week

Market	Sale	Offered	Sold	Passed In
North	S 36	8208	8048	1.9%
South	M 36	19859	18778	5.4%
West	F 36	9222	8818	4.4%

Auction offering – next week

Market	Sale	Sale days	Volume
North	S 37	T / W	9937
South	M 37	W / T	22824
West	F 37	T / W	9629

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