Market Intelligence
Weekly Wool Market Commentary
Moses & Son is committed to providing our valued customers the most current information and data to empower your decision-making process. Discover our latest Australian wool market weekly update below, along with archived reports for your perusal and analysis.
2025-S42
The AWEX EMI closed on 1825, up 39c at auction sales this week in Australia. 97.4% of the 44,765-bale offering cleared to the trade, in what was a display of bullish sale room activity.
Working against and appreciating foreign exchange where the AUD increased 2.24% against the USD with the EMI closing on 1302 USC an increase of 68 USc for the week. All centres were operating with slightly elevated quantities after the 1-week Easter holiday recess.
Whilst the early market intelligence was for the market to be slightly weaker with the larger offering and geopolitical events worsening in the Middle East. Tuesday’s market took no time to demonstrate the exporters had wool to buy and many with a “buy at all cost attitude”. Wednesday saw the currency exchange measure further rises, however the EMI was able to move up another 15c. The market was heavily driven by Chinese interest, with the Australia’s largest trading exporters leading the buyers list with Chinese indent operators.
Merino Fleece
Merino Fleece led the market trend from the first lot. The MPG’s ranged from +22c to +57c in the northern region. Notably the northern region 19mpg rose to 2315c on Tuesday over 60c above Melbourne and Fremantle’s 19 MPG. Whilst there was a slight correction on Wednesday on this premium, the end result was still a 30c premium for the 19 MPG over Melbourne. Wednesday’s market flew in the face of the stronger AUD which may have clipped the markets true strength.
Merino Skirtings
Merino Skirtings opened up to 40c dearer for the well classed low VM PCS offered in Sydney. The lesser style and high VM held their pre-Easter pricing at worst. Wednesday’s market continued to rise with reports indicating another 20c increase across the board. 19 and 19.5 merino skirtings were offered in lower volumes but were keenly sought after at large premiums. Reports that demand for the skirtings sector is a real exciting area of the market, as demand increases week to week.
Merino Cardings
Merino Cardings hit their highest levels in 5years with Sydney rising 32c to close on 1100c Melbourne increased by 26c toclose on 1078 & Fremantle lost 8c to close on 1074c. Merino Crutchings withgood length and low VM were at time extreme, whilst Stains and Locks all strengthening throughout the week.
Crossbred Fleece
Crossbred Oddments
Crossbreds
Crossbreds experienced somewhat mixed results, with the FNF, long, low CVD 25-28µ fleece wools keenly sought after. Prices for lots outside these specs held a firm to slightly dearer.
Next Week
Next week 32,746 bales are rostered for sale in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.This significant drop in volume will prepare us for the indicative low volumeswe historically experience in the last quarter of the season which I am sure isa driver for the urgency to purchase. ~Marty Moses
Graphs
Market Commentary
With the EMI is up 48.1% year on year in AUD and 66.7% in USD, the early market intelligence seems to remain cautiously positive. However, my sources of market Intelligence feel that most of the current markets upward activity seems to be strategic purchasing based on the lack of wool production expected in the next 4-5months, rather than an increase in demand at retail, i.e. Just in time, moving to just in case purchasing. In the last 2 weeks I have had the most positive conversations with exporters who are receiving encouraging news from the customers about the health of the pipeline in China, and their ability to pass on these raw wool costs. Next to skin knitwear and wool/cotton blends are the hot topics in China. On the flip side the European feedback is the opposite with the cost-of-living pressures slowing retail sales considerably.