New Zealand Wool Prices Hit Highest Levels Since 2011 Amid Tight Supply and Surging Demand
Strong competition and tightening supply have seen wool reach its highest prices paid at auction since 2011.
DESPITE A STRENGTHENING NZ dollar and a larger weekly offering of wool, the market was generally firm to dearer, says New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson.
Only lambs' fleece eased slightly and of the 20,000 bales on offer, 88% sold with growers not accepting current market levels for the balance.
Compared to the last South Island sale on February 27 the currency indicator was 1.15% higher but had minimal impact with demand and shipping requirements being the main market driver.
Dawson says fine crossbred fleece and shears were firm to 2% dearer. Coarse crossbred full fleece and shears were also firm to 2% dearer.
First lambs were firm to 2% cheaper. Oddments were firm to 2.5% stronger.
There was good competition with Australasia, Western Europe, United Kingdom and India principal, supported by China and the Middle East.
The next sale on March 13 comprises about 6600 bales from the South Island.
For the third season in a row, Fonterra farmers are in for a farmgate milk price near $10/kgMS.
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Waikato agribusiness leader Geoff Maber has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.
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Mainland Poultry has confirmed new ownership of its vertically integrated agribusiness with Pacific Equity Partners Gateway (PEP Gateway) now joining current shareholders Navis.

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