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 weakening New Zealand dollar coupled with exporter pressure to meet shipping requirements and limited supply continues to underpin the wool market, says NZWSI.
Marketing executive Paul Steel says that the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies came down 2.14% compared to the last sale on 28th May.
Of the 6,876 bales on offer, 94% sold.
Steel advises that resurgent interest from China saw Mid Micron fleece 24.5 to 31.5 micron increase 6 to 12% with Fine Crossbred Fleece 33 to 35 micron 1.5 to 5% dearer against the last time offered on 21st May.
Compared to last week's North Island offering on the 28th May, Fine Crossbred Shears were 2 to 6% stronger. Good colour Coarse Crossbred Fleece were up to 1.5% firmer, average style eased slightly with poor colour firm.
Coarse Shears were firm to 3% dearer.
First Lambs Fleece received very strong support, lifting 6 to 8%.
Long Oddments were nominally 3% cheaper with good colour short oddments 6 % dearer and poor colour 2 to 3% firmer.
Competition was well spread with China dominating, supported by Australasia, Middle East and Western Europe.
The next sale is due on 11th June and comprises approximately 9,100 bales from the North Island.
However, due to insufficient wool coming forward and no stock wools on hand in brokers stores, the rostered South Island sale on 18th June has been cancelled.
In advance of the Budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis put a clear damper on expectations and delivered accordingly.
Farmers should be cautiously optimistic as the 2026/27 season kicks off, says DairyNZ.
RaboResearch senior analyst Emma Higgins expects the 2026/27 dairy season to be another profitable one.
The new dairy season is kicking off with plenty of risks to the forecast farmgate price, both upside and downside, says ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly.
A potential showdown between the top two Federated Farmers leaders looms at the farmer lobby's annual meeting later this month.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.

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