Market prices at the sixth mohair auction of the 2024 season remained stable following a volatile start to the season. The average price was R336/kg, a 1% decrease compared to the previous auction. This auction was held on Tuesday, 19 November and was the penultimate of the year.
As expected, RMS-certified mohair traded at more favourable prices (about 18% higher) than uncertified mohair.
Marco Coetzee, manager of Mohair South Africa (MSA), noted that while prices began the winter season on a low note, they stabilised by the fourth auction and remained steady through the November 19 sale.
The average price for the 2024 summer season was R380/kg, compared to R336/kg on 19 November. A standout sale featured a price of R800/kg, for a bale of super style kid mohair from FEC Farming, brokered by OVK. The CSFFK bale, measuring 24,9 microns, was purchased by VBC.
The offering was of good quality, according to MSA’s market report. Although the South African rand traded slightly weaker against the US dollar than at the previous auction, the stronger kid mohair segment was under pressure due to increased supply.
Prices across all categories fell by an average of 1% compared to previous auctions. Within categories, kid mohair decreased by 3%, young goat mohair increased by 2%, while fine and strong adult mohair prices remained unchanged.
House of Fibre sold 70% of the clips, while OVK handled 30%. OVK’s market report stated that 118 822 kg of mohair was offered, with 89% sold. Of the total offering, 93% was RMS-certified. The highest bid at the OVK auction was R630/kg for a BSFFK bale of 24.5 microns.
Producers in this lot included Highlands Organics (Pty) Ltd, Desert Fibre Company (Pty) Ltd, Peter Gowar Farms CC, Hobsons Dale CC, and LP Fourie, with Stucken & Co. as the buyer.
Pierre van der Vyver, general manager of House of Fibre, noted on social media that they observed a favourable turnaround at the auction, with prices slightly increasing. RMS-certified mohair fetched an average of R348/kg, a 2% rise since the previous auction, while uncertified mohair dropped by 2% to R281/kg.
High-quality clips achieved satisfactory prices. For House of Fibre, kid mohair prices (with several unsold bales) declined by 3,3%, while young goat and adult mohair rose by 2,4% and 2,8% respectively.
A highlight was Michau Nortjé from Willowmore’s kid mohair, measuring 27 microns, which sold for R741/kg. This B-length super style mohair bale had a clean yield of 96%. The second-highest price was achieved by Van Hasselt Farming’s 26-micron kid mohair, sold for R725/kg. Van Hasselt Farming maintained its record as the producer of the world’s best clip, winning the international Miyuki Award for ten consecutive years.
“Farmers with RMS-certified clips earn an 18% premium on prices. Calculated against an average price of R340/kg, that 18% makes a significant difference in margins,” explained Van der Vywer.
He also highlighted strong competition among buyers. The Stucken and Samil buying houses dominated the auction, benefitting both producers and brokers.
