When the price distributions were last reviewed on 8^th February, the EMI was at 1944 Ac/kg and 1380 USc/kg, which was at the 98^th percentile in A$ and the 96^th percentile in US$. As at 20^th September, the EMI had fallen to 1542 Ac/kg (the 93^rd percentile) and 1047 USc/kg (the 85^th percentile). While wool prices from 30 micron down have all fallen since February, the largest declines have been for Merino wool which are 20% to 25% lower in A$ terms and 23% to 29% lower in US$ terms. [The A$ is more than 3 UScents lower than in February.]

The changes in the EMI masks some significant differences for each micron category. The 18 micron price guide (MPG) has fallen back the most in percentile terms. It is now sitting at around the 80^th percentile in A$ and the 70^th percentile in US$. The 19 MPG has also slipped back, although not as much as the 18 MPG. In A$ terms, it is now at around the 85^th percentile. Broader Merino wool has fared better, with current A$ prices sitting at around the 95^th percentile for both the 21 MPG and the 23 MPG. Crossbred wool is also doing well, with the 28 MPG currently sitting at the 97^th percentile. To round it off, Merino Cardings have fallen back to around the 73^rd percentile. The micron price guides are lower in percentile terms in US$ across the board. In addition to the 18 MPG at the 70^th percentile, the 19 MPG, the 21 MPG, the 23 MPG and the 28 MPG are at the 75^th, 85^th, 86^th and 93^rd percentiles. The Merino Carding Indicator is the lowest, at the 43^rd percentile.

Further detail including charts showing the cumulative price distribution and the frequencies (in number of weeks) for the EMI and a number of Micron Price Guides in A$ and US$ since 1984 are provided in the full edition of the Weekly Newsletter. Available to NCWSBA members.