AWEX has released data showing the average price differences paid for wool with the various mulesing status in the 2018/19 season to December compared with the previous five seasons. The data shows that the premiums paid for non-mulesed Merino wool at auction in the July to December 2018 period were higher than in 2017/18 for several of the Merino microns. Some care needs to be taken with the results as the data for some types is very limited, making them statistically unreliable. For this reason, AWEX has not reported the price difference for 21 and 22 micron wool this season. There has been strong lift in the average premiums paid for non-mulesed 16 micron and 22 micron wool. For 18 micron wool, the average premiums have fallen a little\ this season compared with the high levels seen in 2017/18. The average premiums are vastly higher than they were in 2013/14. Of course, the average masks some of the much higher premiums that have been achieved for fine non-mulesed Merino wool this season. There are reports of a considerable quantity of non-mulesed fine Merino wool has been sold outside of the auction system, which would affect the analysis.

Further details including a chart showing the price differences for Non-Mulesed wool over mulesed wool in 2018/19 compared with 2017/18 and 2013/14 for different microns are provided in the full edition of the NCWSBA Weekly Newsletter of 25th January 2019, available to NCWSBA members.