Two bales of kid mohair recently shattered world record prices at public auction, adding to the record-breaking tally this summer season.
By Fredalette Uys
During the fourth auction, a bale of super style BSFFK kid mohair of 22,1 microns, with a clean yield of 94,85% from Paul Webber of Albany near Grahamstown, was sold to Standard Wool on 31 March for R1 220/kg – the highest price ever achieved at a public auction. His broker was OVK Auctioneers.
Another 21,9 micron super style B bale with a clean yield of 92% from Hein Truter of Die Wieg farm near Oudtshoorn sold for R1 110/kg, also surpassing the previous world record price. This bale was also sold to Standard Wool, with House of Fibre as the broker.
Webber’s price is just short of the all-time world record of R1 246,10/kg paid in 2018 at the exclusive Ermenegildo Zegna competition auction for a bale of summer kid mohair from the Van Hasselt farm in Prince Albert. The previous world record price at a public auction of R1 051/kg was achieved in 2023 for a bale from FEC Farming of Willowmore.
Both Webber and Truter’s bales of kid mohair will be entered into the new local mohair competition launched this year by Mohair South Africa. The five winners will be announced on 18 June at the annual mohair congress in Graaff-Reinet.
Market conditions
A total of 96% of the offering was sold at this auction on 31 March, of which 84% was RMS-certified. The average mohair market indicator decreased by 1% to R403,86/kg. The average kid mohair price increased by 2% to R671,48/kg, young goat mohair declined by 1% to R402,44/kg, while fine adult mohair decreased by 1% to R320,75/kg and strong adult mohair fell by 2% to R269,45/kg.
According to Mohair South Africa’s market report, there was strong competition at the auction. All buyers competed actively for the mohair on offer, particularly in the finer segment of the market.
Drought conditions
Paul Webber explained that this performance was, unfortunately, partly the result of the severe drought on his farm in 2025. Although the drought has since been broken, he is hoping for more rain before winter.
He was, however, somewhat surprised by the price, as his clip does not usually test as fine, and his kid mohair generally measures 1–1,5 microns stronger. Webber said he had low expectations for his underweight kid mohair bale due to drought and predation reducing his herd size. However, OVK’s technical officers were able to assemble sufficient fibre from his other lines that met the necessary specifications to complete the bale.
Jonker Venter of OVK called Webber’s bale exceptional, with outstanding style, character, length and lustre. “As brokers, we are pleased and excited with him that he was able to achieve this price.”
The minimal fibre length variation was crucial for buyers, as excessive variation limits end-use applications.
Venter added bale composition requires teamwork from field officers to marketing. “Because mohair is a niche market, attention to detail is extremely important. It’s essential that bales meet buyer specifications to achieve the best possible price.”
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