27 Jun 2009

Wool prices mixed at last of season's auction

8:57 am on 27 June 2009

Prices of some types of wool picked up at this week's South Island wool sale, the last for the 2008-2009 selling season.

New Zealand Wool Services International reports there was stronger competition for the greater selection but limited amounts of some wool on offer, compared with last week's North Island sale.

About two thirds of the almost 17,000 bales up for auction were sold.

The strengthening of the New Zealand dollar against most wool trading currencies had little impact on prices.

Prices for some finer mid-micron and cross-bred fleece eased back a little. The larger amount of good colour crossbred fleece available from pre-lamb shearing also lost ground.

However, prices for average styles gained up to 8%. Thirty-five micron fleece, fine crossbred early shorn and shears and lambs' wool prices also rose.

The first wool auction of the new season will be held in Napier in two weeks.