The wool market’s Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) recorded an increase last week for the first time in over a month.
The EMI rose five cents a kilogram, to close week 20 at 1781c/kg.
The Southern Market Indicator also closed higher than the previous week, rising 4c/kg, to close at 1758c/kg.
However Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) attributed this slight rise to solid gains in the carding and crossbred sectors.
AWEX reported Merino fleece offerings were sold to mix results, with 19 micron and finer wool falling by 30-50c/kg, 19.5-20 micron attracting excellent competition, and 21 micron and coarser wool generally unchanged week-on-week.
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The offering of 35,326 bales was slightly up by 3137 bales on the week before, but continues to be significantly down year-on-year.
The season’s total of just over 622,000 bales is more than 120,000 less than the same time last year, or 16.2 per cent down.
The current EMI is up 98c/kg on what it was in November last year.
The slight increase saw more woolgrowers accept the prices offered, with the passed-in rate falling from 20.9pc to 10.9pc.