Lots poorly classed or from composite breeds hard to sell

Published March 7, 2021

Merino Fleece finished the week in a slightly weaker position in AUD terms, however the exporter competition was widespread and variable throughout the week.

Despite this temporary barrier of issues with slow shipping, there were many positives with well-prepared lots meeting technical specifications for Chinese types remaining in sellers favour.

The current market push for superfine MPG’s has attracted old (drought effected) wool on to the market with success.

Merino Skirtings held up relatively well despite one of the main exporters purchasing in this category having a quiet week.

The presence of medium and heavy VM lots are becoming more prevalent each week courtesy of the monster season experienced across a wide proportion of the eastern states.

Crossbreds were generally well supported as long as the classing met the COP.

Lots that were unclassed, poorly prepared or were from composite breeds were extremely hard to sell.

Merino Cardings performed well with three Merino Carding (MC) indicators up by an average of 10c. Stains, locks and crutchings all posted gains of 10-20c.

Crossbred oddments remain irregular and extremely hard to sell.

Delays in shipping schedules are being sighted as a barrier to the market sustaining its positive trajectory especially for the more expensive Fine and Superfine Merino types.

In my opinion the market in general will struggle to maintain these current levels due to our reliance on demand from the Chinese processors, however, the lots meeting the main Chinese orders will continue to perform better than those lots who do not meet the Chinese specs.

Next week’s sales are offering 49,883 bales with the “land of the long weekend” restrictions applying.

Victoria celebrates Labour Day on March 8, meaning that sales will move to a Wednesday-Thursday rotation for all Australian selling centres.

For those who are asking- What is Labour Day? It is to celebrate the victory for workers of the “eight hour working day” in the mid to late 19^thcentury.

The key argument was for each person to have eight hours labour, eight hours recreation and eight hours rest. Obviously this is not relevant to many enterprises in agriculture.
~ Marty Moses