The premiums for non-mulesed Merino wool have remained strong in the first six months of the 2018/19 season, according to data released by AWEX. NCWSBA believes that it is vital that all Australian wool producers are informed of these continued strong premiums and respond to the clear demand signals from the global wool textile industry.
The premiums for non-mulesed wool over equivalent mulesed wool averaged between 33 and 53 cents/kg for Merino wool 20 microns and finer in the first six months of the 2018/19 season to December. These are statistically sound estimates by AWEX. There was insufficient data for AWEX to report on the results for 21 and 22 micron wool.
John Colley, President of NCWSBA, said “These results show that the strong demand for non-mulesed Australian wool has continued this season. These premiums of up to 53 cents/kg are much higher than the premiums of between 13 and 30 cents/kg in 2016/17 and are similar to the premiums paid in 2017/18.”
“These premiums for non-mulesed wool are on top of the record prices seen for Merino wool this season. They are also averaged across all Merino wool sold in Australia in each micron category. NCWSBA is aware of much higher premiums being offered by some companies for specific contracts. These premiums show that the market signals are flowing back to Australian woolgrowers to help them in their management decisions about mulesing.”
“It is very encouraging to see that 12.6% of all wool offered at auction this season to January 2019 was declared as non-mulesed. This is a record proportion and shows that Australian wool producers are responding to the market. It is vital that Australian wool producers are informed about AWEX’s latest assessment of the strong premiums being paid at auction.”
NCWSBA notes that the discounts lots of Merino wool that do not have a National Wool Declaration are now between 5 and 13 cents/kg.
“The discounts for wool that does not have a National Wool Declaration have risen this season to as much as 13 cents/kg. We encourage all Australian wool producers to declare their wool, regardless of mulesing status of their wool to avoid this discount.” Mr Colley concluded.
NCWSBA represents the majority of Australian wool brokers, with members accounting for 85% of wool sold at auction in Australia in 2017/18. It is the only national organisation representing Australian wool brokers in Australia and internationally. More details about the organisation can be seen at www.woolbrokers.org.
RELEASED BY:
Chris Wilcox, Executive Director
Mobile: 0419344259
Email: chris.wilcox@woolindustries.org
