 Merino Fleece felt the full brunt of the market’s downward price recalibration and was exacerbated by the price disparity between selling centres from the previous week.
The market opened 20-50c cheaper in the north and 10-25c cheaper in the South. At the end of the sales the MPG’s miraculously aligned across the Merino range. Currency strengthened throughout the week driving the EMI in USD down 19c. Merino Skirtings did not feel the same pain felt by their Fleece counterparts posting falls of 10-20c in the northern region. Lots containing heavy colour or those that were cotted also attracted large falls. |
| Crossbred Fleece experienced some downward price pressure, however the falls did not match the sentiment circulating for crossbred prices in the short term with some buyers reducing their competition and others stepping up their purchases.
Merino Cardings bucked the negative price trend posting a solid performance across the Merino Locks and Crutchings. The AWEX EMI closed on 1152c down 15c at auction sales in Australia last week. From the 44,033 bales offered, 91.3% of the offering was cleared to the trade. Despite the sharp price reduction in the Merino Fleece the new levels were quickly found. Competition came from by the largest traders and indent operators. This week the offering climbs to 49,814 with Sydney sale rooms being transferred to the Royal Easter show. The early indications of next week’s market levels are that if currency exchange holds firm the market should trade around the closing levels of this week. – Marty Moses |