Market Intelligence
Weekly Wool Market Commentary
Moses & Son is committed to providing our valued customers the most current information and data to empower your decision-making process. Discover our latest Australian wool market weekly update below, along with archived reports for your perusal and analysis.
2025-S39
The AWEX EMI closed the week at 1724c, down 27c at auction sales this week. Foreign exchange opened the week with the AUD trading as high as 70.5 USc, which contributed to the EMI falling by 44c in USD terms. From the 39,673 bales offered, the clearance rate was predictably slightly above average at 91.1%, as sellers exercised their right.
Competition came from a wide range of buyers, with a few companies returning to the top of the list after a brief hiatus from the top four. Exporters have felt increasing pressure on their credit facilities due to the 40% increase in costs year on year, and whilst wool production is down, the volume of wool being offered from previous seasons is keeping the numbers within 3.5% of the previous season.
Merino Fleece
Opened on a weaker note, with the northern selection of low tensile strength fleece dragging the market down. Despite this, the northern market cleared 96% of the offering, whilst the south and west passed in 6.1% and 14.5% respectively. Wednesday’s selection was slightly better in style and measurement, which in turn attracted spirited bidding and better prices. Despite this, the MPGs indicated a slightly weaker end of day result. Competition came from Chinese indent operators, the large Australian trading exporters, and large Chinese top makers.
Merino Skirtings
Have generally been performing better than fleece over the past few weeks; however, there were some “cracks appearing” in pricing on Tuesday, mainly on the broader selection. Conversely, well specified and well-prepared superfine skirting lots gained 30c. Wednesday saw a general firming in prices across all skirtings.
Merino Cardings
Were generally firm at the previous week’s levels in the eastern selling centres. The better style and bulk locks and crutchings were slightly dearer for the week. XB oddments remain relatively stable at reasonable levels.
Crossbred Fleece
Crossbred Oddments
Crossbreds
Were clearly determined by the quality and quantity of the selection. Poorly prepared and specified lots were 20–40c cheaper, whilst the best prepared and specified lots remained firm.
Next Week
Next week’s offering falls back slightly to 37,815 bales. Early indications suggest an unconvincing “not much change.”
A special mention to Tim Foster, who today finishes up as Moses & Son’s Condobolin Wool Technical Officer and Branch Manager. Tim has supported his clients through a challenging period in the industry, and we thank him for his contribution during his time with the business.
We wish Tim all the best for his next chapter. We will be announcing the new Condobolin staffing arrangements in the coming weeks. ~Marty Moses
Market Commentary
It is clear that additional essential business costs are emerging at a fast pace and cannot be absorbed or ignored. I read an article this morning that I thought put some context around the current situation. I would like to share a quote from that article for you to digest:
“Whilst the world’s focus is on the US + Israel v Iran and the constraints in the Strait of Hormuz, the deeper story is about energy pricing, marine insurance, shipping finance, capital flows, borrowing costs, inflation, and the hidden ‘machinery’ that can make the whole world poorer without firing a single shot. This crisis has exposed exactly that ‘machinery’.
It is not just about a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. It is about who decides whether global trade remains workable when fear enters the system. It is about who can turn regional danger into worldwide economic pain. And it is about why ordinary South Africans, thousands of kilometres away, will still pay the price……”