Week Ending 14th December, 2018 AWEX Northern Micron Indices Comparison
WISHING ALL A VERY MERRY WET, WET CHRISTMAS!! The final sale of the year delivered good news and an early Christmas present for growers that had wool in as all sectors recorded lifts bar cardings. The AWEX EMI added 13 cents to its value to finish the year at 1862 - a 100 cent (5.8%) increase from 12 months ago and, in US$ terms, almost identical at 1346. All microns regardless of style, VM and other faults were in good demand, all posting 15 to 30 cent rises with the odd lot with outstanding specs or non-mulesed up to 50/100 cents better than their indicators.
Skirtings also went well with a solid opening day to edge higher in the final session by 10 cents. As mentioned earlier cardings were the only sector to finish in negative territory as all types gave up 35 to 50 cents resulting in the 3 centres averaging 44 cent falls with the MCIs ranging from 1146 to 1105 cents - a disappointing end to the year after the previous 3 sales saw increases of 180 cents. Crossbreds put aside the past 3 erratic sales as most microns gained 10 to 15 cents.
The anticipated larger offering didn’t faze buyers as purchasing patterns returned to some form of normality as the biggest trader flexed their muscle and other companies were forced to follow suit. Techwool Trading bought over 6,500 bales, costing over $13m. The biggest indent buyer was also in the market concentrating on merino fleece types only with other local trading houses competing against them but not pushing them to extreme levels that would be out of reach of their client’s ability to pay the desired price. Also not to be out-done was China’s biggest top-maker who was looking to build inventory for the upcoming 3 week recess and Europe’s largest top-maker who dominated the lower spec types and crossbreds and skirtings.
A spectacular year for the market as the highs of June (2073) and August (2089) were offset by the low point of 1776 in early November. This was the cheapest point for cardings (1020) while their peak was 1563 cents in mid September. We wish all our clients a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with drought breaking rains the best Christmas present we could all wish for. Wool sales resume on 9th January, 2019. |
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Main Buyers (This Week)
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