Not just one but three “once-in-a-lifetime” bales of mohair from three different farmers were sold for a new world record price of R1 330/kg each during the sixth auction of the summer mohair season.
Fred Colborne of FEC Farming in Willowmore’s super-style bale of 22-micron kid mohair with a 97% clean yield was the first to break the previous world record price of R1 256/kg, set by the Bosch brothers of Somerset East at the previous auction, when it sold for R1 330/kg. His broker was OVK.
The record price was matched later in the auction when the same price was paid for a super-style bale of 24,5-micron kid mohair with a clean yield of 96,7% from Michau Nortjé of JMP Nortjé Farm near Willowmore and another super-style bale of 24,5-micron kid mohair with a clean yield of 94,7% from Jordi van Hasselt of Van Hasselt Farm near Prince Albert. The broker for the two bales was House of Fibre.
The bales were purchased by Standard Wool for a processor in Italy.
“In my 44 years in the mohair industry, these are the best two bales I have ever seen,” said Pierre van der Vyver, manager of House of Fibre.
“The individual attention that goes into the bales is incredible,” he said.
According to Jonker Venter, mohair manager at OVK, Fred Colborne’s bale of kid mohair is also the most beautiful hair he has ever seen.
“You seize the moment because you do not know whether you will have the privilege of seeing such beautiful hair again.”
Van der Vyver added that few people realise the effort that goes into producing this type of hair and that the entire 80 kg bale is graded strand by strand, which can sometimes take a few workers two months to complete.
“You have to be really dedicated.”
To achieve the type of clean yield attained by each of the record-breaking bales requires far more than a single dip and wash.
“It is not like in the old days when every farmer had his own secret dip recipe. Today it is highly controlled and there is only one approved remedy.”
Another standout feature of the bales was the even fibre length obtained during the first shearing of the kids, which is especially challenging because the kids are not all born on the same day.
According to Venter, Colborne has consistently demonstrated, particularly in recent years, the top-quality shearing standards he can achieve. The record bale was exceptional, with excellent even length and a lustre that could not be matched. He added that hard work, dedication, quality breeding material and an incredible amount of perseverance lay behind the bale, with Colborne putting considerable effort into preparing his goats before and during shearing.
Van der Vyver added that some of the hair was purchased by a new buyer who only began “buying into” finer goat fibre two years ago. He said there has also been tremendous progress in producing finer goat fibre over the past few years.
This buyer from Italy is one of the biggest brands in Europe and has been experimenting with high-quality fine goat fibre for the past two years. This year, the company decided to fully commit to purchasing the best fibre available, which Van der Vyver believes it has now secured.
Mohair market
The record prices were achieved during the sixth auction of the summer season held on 12 May, where 157 715 kg was offered and 97% sold. The average mohair indicator increased by 2% to R403,59/kg during the auction.
Kid mohair increased by 3% to R699,07/kg, young goat mohair remained unchanged at R390,87/kg, fine adult mohair increased by 3% to R313,07/kg and strong adult mohair increased by 2% to R403,59/kg.
According to Van der Vyver, demand for mohair has improved significantly compared with the same time last year.
“This is the first time we have received this kind of attention since 2022, when the market was at an absolute peak, to such an extent that resistance began developing because of the price.
“Many processors are now re-entering the market and the main end uses for mohair are machine-knitting yarns and high-quality woven fabrics for men’s suits, which are making a comeback, as well as the velour market – the largest consumer of mohair – for upholstery on chairs and sofas in opera houses and aircraft seating.
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