Superfine wool prices (18.5 micron & finer) have risen strongly over the past few months due to a combination of continued robust demand and lower supplies. At the same time, prices for medium Merino wool (such as 21 micron) have slipped a little, although they remain at historically good levels. As a result, the price premium for superfine wool over medium Merino wool has lifted sharply. The premium currently sits at 34%, the highest since August 2011 and above the long term average premium. This recent improvement in the price differential for superfine wool is largely due to lower supplies of superfine wool and increased supplies of medium Merino wool. For much of the period between 2012 and 2016 production of superfine wool was at historically high levels while production of medium Merino wool was historically low. This is changing this season.

Full details including a chart showing the price differential between 18 micron and 21 micron wool since 2002 is included in the NCWSBA Weekly Newsletter for the week ending 3rd February 2017, available to NCWSBA members.