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.
THE NORTH Island sale saw wool prices continue their upward trend, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
With interest still continuing from China and pressure for exporters to meet shipping requirements, wool prices climbed to higher levels than expected.
The trade weighted currency index moved from 0.7269 to 0.7071 down 2.72%. This also contributed to today's lift.
Compared to the last North Island Sale on the September 18 a nominal offering of coarser crossbred fleece was 4% dearer.
Fine crossbred fleece 34 and 35 micron 4 to 6 inch rose 6 to 7% while 36 micron lifted up by 5%.
Fine crossbred early shorn and second shear 32 and 33 micron 3 to 5 inch rose by 2.5%, 33.5 to 36 micron 3 to 5 inch was 5% dearer, 31 to 36 micron 3 to 4, 2 to 4 and 2 to 3 inch were 5 to 7% dearer while 34 to 36 micron 2 to 4 inch rose 12%.
Coarse crossbred early shorn and second shear 38 micron and coarser 3 to 4 and 2 to 4 inch climbed 9%.
Crossbred combing oddments remained firm while clothing oddments, average style were 2.5% dearer and poor style 6.5% dearer.
The next sale on the October 9 comprises about 8900 bales from the South Island.
Zespri's sales of kiwifruit for the 2025 season have broken all past records.
Trainee orchard manager Luke St John has won the Central Otago 2026 Young Grower regional title.
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox, has won the 2026 Pukekohe Young Grower regional title.
Fifty-eight selected individuals, companies, and start-ups will exhibit their ideas and cutting-edge solutions at the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards, with Amazon Web Services (AWS), who joins the programme in 2026 as overall sponsor.
A rare piece of New Zealand adventure history will be on display at this year’s Fieldays, with a pair of socks worn by the late Sir Edmund Hillary to take pride of place at the Norsewear site this June.
This month's National Fieldays will again display a strong international flavour, with more exhibitors and overseas delegations in attendance.

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