Port Elizabeth – The last sale of the wool season before the Christmas recess took place this week, with another large offering of 13 831 bales, after 2 149 bales were withdrawn prior to the sale.

The market closed nearly unchanged from the previous sale on R175,36 p/kg, with an overall sales clearance of 97,1 % of the bales actually offered.

The offering consisted predominantly of fine wools in the medium length category, with certified sustainable wools representing 34,9% of the merino wools on offer.

Trade started off on the first day at weaker currency levels, with the SA Rand strengthening on the second day and fluctuating throughout the sale, ultimately closing 0,6 % weaker against the US$.

There were mixed results across the micron categories, with the 18 micron segment showing the biggest gains and good competition experienced amongst the buying houses, especially for RWS certified wools.

The Australian market ended slightly up by 0,3% (AU$) from the previous sale on the 24th of November. 

The major buyers on today’s sale were: Modiano SA (3 246), Standard Wool SA (3 073), Lempriere SA (3 064) and Stucken & Co (1 842).

The average clean prices for the selection within the different micron categories for good top-making (MF5), long fleeces were as follows: 18,0 microns increased 4,5% to close at R251,82/kg; 18,5 microns moved 0,3% down to close at R219,24/kg; 19 microns gained 1,1% to close at R206,94/kg; 19,5 microns strengthened by 2,2% to close at R193,47/kg; 20 microns was 3,1% stronger to close at R182,40/kg; 20,5 microns won 2,1% to close at R179,83/kg; 21,0 microns recovered 1,0% to close at R172,54/kg; 21,5 microns improved by 1,5% to close at R174,81kg; 22 microns rose 5,3% to close at R153,94/kg and 22,5 microns declined by 1,2% to close at R153,97/kg.

The next auction is scheduled for 12 January 2022.