Despite the general decline in price the better style held closer to the previous levels, any Merino lots that fell outside the standard specifications for VM Cott or Colour felt the full force of the downward price correction.
Another concerning sector of the Merino Fleece category is the drought affected fleece lots with low yielding lots remaining heavily discounted. Last week there was a bit more competition on these low yielding lots which was welcomed.
Merino Skirtings
The average specified and prepared lots followed their Fleece counterparts down, with losses of 1020c felt on both days. Best specified and low VM skirtings were keenly sought, with prices comparable to the previous week.
Merino Cardings
The carding indices fell in equal proportion on both days. Whilst prices for Merino Lambs and Stains were varied in their support and were heavily influenced by bulk and colour, Merino Locks and Crutchings were generally cheaper.
The AWEX EMI closed on 1191c down 19c at auction sales in Australia last week. Only 28,508 bales were offered last week which is the second smallest offering in the current season.
The AUD relationship with the USD remains the key factor in the market’s direction and this week the AUD peaking at 65.12c on Wednesday, which weighed heavily on the market an at the time of reporting had fallen by 1c.
The EMI in USD fell 2c closing out the week on 772 cents. The clearance rate remained low at 85.8% as the prices continue to fall. The back-toback falls are increasingly concerning as the word awaits some resolve in US trade Tariff talks to progress.
Adding more “salt” to the markets already significant wounds were new geopolitical unrest developed this week. Reports of tension between India and Pakistan escalated quickly into retaliatory attacks made new headlines for the world to digest.
Crossbreds
Remained generally unchanged and well supported, with the best length lots with low CV of Fibre diameter remained keenly sought after. Lots outside the specs attracted discounts.
This Week
This week’s offering of 33,067 bales may be met with further price apprehension for the increasing percentage of average and poor style lots and lots that sit outside the standard specifications. Conversely, we may see some better interest for the quickly diminishing selection of best style and specified selection. ~Marty Moses.
Market Commentary
This week’s challenge is searching for some good news. With the shock of the Australian Federal election result still hurting we look to the new pope to bring new hope? If the new divine holiness can bring better returns from our enterprises, I think we will be all rushing back to the church.