AUSTRALIAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

Comment

25,000 bales were eventually sold to the trade this week. This is a better indication of the volume that can realistically be consumed by the market each week with prices more stable at this level. We must avoid wildly fluctuating volumes for sale during this period. The offering of 29,000 bales was 33% less wool than what was announced for sale this time last week. Brokers and growers have considered the circumstances and withdrawn wool that was not realistically for sale. This is a very sensible approach and had a positive influence on the final market outcome. It also resulted in just a 12% passed in rate that allowed those genuine clips that were for sale, a realistic chance. We thank those brokers who worked with their clients to help reduce the volume for sale during this time. This is essential with enormous financial and production pressure on the entire global wool supply chain.

AWEX Eastern Indicator compared with 03/04/2020

Eastern Indicator

Close: 1301

Change in % +1.09

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Authentico Index Values

15 Micron

Close: 2430

Change in %: +2.57

16 Micron

Close: 2153

Change in %: +1.08

17 Micron

Close: 1916

Change in %: -0.42

18 Micron

Close: 1737

Change in %: +0.64

19 Micron

Close: 1638

Change in %: +0.06

Authentico Indicator

Close: 1935

Change in %: +0.68

Forecast

During such uncertain times, we do expect some more volatility in the short to medium term. An unusual step to allocate an extra sale next week, after Easter, was taken by the rostering committee. This will be a small one-day sale only to be held next Wednesday.

A range of customers, including the Nanjing wool market had, like us, called for a break in sales via a change in the roster. This has been widely discussed by the industry. There is more broad interest in the idea to limit the volume for sale each week as a preferred method to help protect the health and well-being of buyers as well as the financial stability of the market. This option would need government approval as sellers could be considered to be colluding to limit supply. The major brokers could not reach a full consensus on this issue so it’s unlikely to be pursued.

The National Auction Selling Committee (NASC) has reduced the number of lots allowed to be sold in a day as a work health and safety measure to limit the hours buyers are required to spend in the open cry auction environment.

Auction offering – current week

Selling Centres for week 41

Market          Sale          Offered             Sold       Passed In

North                      S 41                     7520                          6444                14.3%

South                     M 41                    16712                        14339                14.2%

West                       F 41                      5263                         4798                  8.8%

Auction offering – next week

Market          Sale          Sale days          Volume

North                      S 42                       W                             6256

South                     M 42                      W                             10396

West                       F 42                       W                              4871

 

If you want to see the complete Wool Sales Roster click here.