Domestic Wool Slow,
Aussie Wools Higher

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Domestic wool trading was slow last week, demand and seller interest light. Some wool was taken into warehouses for fall delivery, but the decline in the exchange rate and high fuel costs have curtailed any new business.

Australia's market indicator closed up six cents at 726A cents per kilo clean. A total of 55,760 bales were offered with clearance at 91 percent. The 21 micron grease wool contract for October was down five cents at 672A, December down five at 683, February down nine at 694 and April up two at 658. The 19 micron clean wool contract for October was down four at 1237A, December down 12 at 1181, February down five at 1130, and April down 14 at 1093. The 23 micron clean contract for October was up five at 515A, December up five at 518, February up five at 534 and April up five at 521. The value of the Australian dollar to the U.S. dollar declined to .5336.

In New Zealand at Christchurch and Napier, the wool indicators were sharply higher. Finewool was up 123 at 1757NZ cents, medium wool up 35 at 600 and strong wool up 19 at 460. Lamb wool was at 349 the previous week. A total of 1764 clean tonnes were offered with passings at three percent. The New Zealand to U.S. exchange rate was .4065.