28 August 2023
By: Fredalette Uys
Wool and mohair prices decreased at the first auctions for both industries’ winter seasons, with challenging conditions in the global economy continuing to have an impact.
Prices at the first auction of the 2023-24 season dropped by 3.5% to R172.79/kg for certified wool, and by 4.5% to R158.08/kg for uncertified wool, according to Cape Wools’ market report.
The prices are at similar levels to a year ago. The price of uncertified wool is about 2% lower compared to the opening of the previous season, and that of Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) wool is 1% higher.
Certified wool comprised 58% of the Merino offering, which supported the market, the report states. In total, 90.55% of the offering was sold.
“The strengthening rand against the US dollar on the second day of the auction, as well as uncertainty in the Australian market, made trading difficult.”
The Australian market declined by 1.1% in Australian dollar value compared to the previous Australian auction on August 9.
The top price at the auction was achieved by NJ van Pletzen of Aliwal North for a bale of 16.3-micron BFH wool with a clean yield of 77.5% and a tensile strength of 52.
Mohair
“There was reasonable competition among buyers, but the impact of higher inflation, interest rates, and economic stagnation in Asia filtered through to the auction floor,” says the market report compiled by Mohair South Africa.
The average price for mohair declined by 5% to R334.69/kg at the first auction of the winter season compared to the average price at the last auction of the summer season.
The average price for kid mohair remained unchanged, while the prices of young goat, fine adult goat and strong adult goat mohair dropped by 6%. The average price was 10.7% lower than at the corresponding auction a year ago.
The first auction of the season is always mixed, and quoting is difficult due to a large variation in the composition of the offering from one season to another, the market report says. A total of 103,985kg of hair was offered, of which 89% was sold.
