Latest news with #ResponsibleWoolStandard
Fibre2Fashion
11 hours ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Australian wool prices firm amid low supply, steady demand this week
Australian wool auctions saw firmer prices this week as limited supply met slightly improved demand. With only Melbourne and Sydney in operation and Fremantle sitting out, just over 20,000 bales were offered, of which approximately 95 per cent were sold. The market response was positive as all wool types and descriptions experienced price gains, despite buyers exercising caution. Merino wool prices rose by 10 to 20 Australian cents (ac), with high-quality lots fetching 30 to 40ac more. In contrast, lower-end types were 0 to 10ac dearer. Chinese top makers led buying activity, supported by traders and stronger China indent demand, likely reflecting hesitancy in long-term commitments due to low volume and inconsistent quality, the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) said in its commentary for week 51 of the current wool marketing season. Australian wool prices rose this week amid tight supply and slightly improved demand. Around 95 per cent of the 20,000+ bales offered were sold. Merino wools gained up to 40ac, while RWS-certified lots attracted premiums of 150ac. Crossbred and carding types also saw modest gains. China and European buyers were active. Next week, over 32,600 bales will be auctioned across all three centres. European demand for Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified wool continued to command significant premiums, particularly in the 18 to 21 micron category, with some lots selling up to 150ac above standard types, the AWI commentary added. Crossbred wool performed solidly, with 28–30 micron types gaining 15ac (3.5 to 4 per cent), and finer varieties rising by 5 to 10ac. Coarser types also edged up by 5ac, while carding types posted gains of up to 10ac/clean kg. Next week's auction will see over 32,600 bales offered across all three selling centres. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
RWS-certified wool demand rises exponentially in recent months, fetching more than 100c/kg premiums
Global demand for ethically-produced wool has risen exponentially during the past six months, with fleeces certified through the Responsible Wool Standard fetching premiums of more than 100c/kg. And industry experts expect premiums to continue to rise as demand, particularly from Eastern Europe, continues to build. Westcoast Wool and Livestock broker Justin Haydock said RWS-certified wool fetched an average premium of 6.5 per cent above the market, with specific clips showing up to 11.46 per cent premiums during the last RWS sale on April 30 — selling week 44. 'Total average price difference over 100 bales was $10,500,' he said. 'I've got another clip here that offered 41 bales, averaged 9.75 per cent above the market, and total price difference was 6k. 'Another clip here: 67 bales, $10,000 and an average 11.46 per cent above the market. 'And another clip here was a larger clip, but they did have lower yielding wool with with high vegetable matter, but that's still average 6.2 per cent above the market, 200 bales, and total price difference of 22,000 there.' Mr Haydock said the stats are based on sold prices versus AWEX quotes on the day for particular lines of wool. The RWS is a voluntary standard — established by international non-for-profit Textile Exchange — which requires all sites, from wool farms to the seller, to be certified. Farmers are evaluated against animal welfare, land management and social requirements to meet the standard, and all wool has to be produced from non-mulesed sheep. Mr Haydock said he was conducting private RWS sales catalogues to offer larger volumes, which buyers preferred. 'We've identified that buyers really like the opportunity to bid on volume,' he said. 'They're not force to take a position on the wool themselves. They can fill orders straight away, get it straight onto a ship and delivered to mills.' Mr Haydock said low-yielding, high VM wools are heavily discounted in the auction marketplace however, RWS certification mitigates this discount. 'Looking forward, I think demand is only going to increase,' he said. 'Surprisingly, we've actually seen people drop away from the AWS. 'There could potentially be more growers start to sign up again now that the premiums are starting to increase but I think the demand will outweigh volume at the end of the day.' Fremantle Wool Trading managing director John Bradbury said while there was financial benefit in being RWS certified and there was 'certainly a demand in Europe', many farmers simply 'can't be bothered with it'. 'The complexity of it drives everyone mad — it's clunky,' he said. 'Non-mulesed is almost impossible to find and it's harder and harder to find RWS wool.' In week 46, May 14, the national offering was 30,931 bales, with 7529 were declared non-mulesed or ceased mulesing.
