The latest data on shows that China’s imports of raw and semi-processed wool in April were 18% below year earlier levels. This continues the run of year-on-year declines in the past seven months. Since October, only February recorded a year-on-year increase in China’s raw and semi-processed wool imports. Imports from Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay and ‘other countries’ all fell in April, down by 16%, 22%, 40% and 16% respectively. Only imports from South Africa increased in April.

For the 2015/16 season to April, China’s imports of raw and semi-processed wool were 6% lower than the same 10 month period in the 2014/15 season. Imports from all sources were down for the season to April, led by an 11% decline in imports from both New Zealand and Uruguay. In spite of the strong lift in April, imports from South Africa were 7% lower for the season to date, as were imports from ‘other countries’. Imports from Australia were 6% lower than for the same period in 2014/15.

Full details including a chart showing the long term trends in China's raw wool imports by source country are contained in this week's NCWSBA Weekly Newsletter. Available to NCWSBA members.