Domestic Wool Slow,
Aussie Wools Lower

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Domestic wool trading was at a standstill last week under very light demand. No sales were reported in Territory trading or in warehouse trading.

The Australian market indicator closed the week five cents lower at 582A cents per kilo clean; 20, 21 and 27-29 micron fell 13-25 cents while 19, 22, 26, and 30 micron indicators closed between four and nine cents lower; 23, 25 and 31 micron rose 2-6 cents. Clearance was 82.7 percent on a total offering of 81,137 bales. A total of 152 sales were made on June futures 21 micron contracts. Open interest decreased by 77 contracts to close at 1226. The August 1998 contract closed 23 cents down at 622 cents per kilo clean. The October 1998 contract closed 27 cents down at 611 cents. A total of 1,131,480 farm bale equivalents remain unsold at this time in Australia.

The New Zealand market indicator fell sharply, closing 34 cents lower at 456NZ cents per kilo clean. Clearance was 75 percent on a total offering of 30,196 bales. The segment indicators in New Zealand cents per kilo clean closed with fine at 847NZ, down one; medium 552, up five; strong 399, down 19; and lamb 463, down 44.

The South African wool market was in recess last week.