Domestic Wool Quiet,
Aussies Reach A Low

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Domestic wool trading was slow the past two weeks and at a standstill in most areas. Demand was light to narrow.

An unusually large percent of last spring’s clip still remains in first hands or warehouses, most sellers unwilling to accept current prices for wool. Domestic processing demand was light to moderate as most continue to purchase lower priced foreign wools for delivery in several months.

In Territory trading the past few weeks: Idaho — 25,000 pounds of 12 month 20.5-24.9 micron, including some short and tender wool, bellies out and untied, brought 37 cents grease; 5000 pounds of 11 month yearling wool, bellies out and untied, 40 cents grease; Colorado — 40,000 pounds of 60-62's, staple, bellies out and untied, in square packs 40-45 cents grease; Oregon — a total of 83,000 pounds of 8-12 months wool, staple, 26-29 micron from 27-33 cents and 29-30 micron wool at 46 cents delivered.

A total of 360,000 pounds sold in Texas warehouse trading, including a few 12 month staple length wools, 64's, ranging from 47.5-51.25 cents f.o.b. the warehouse, bulk of the offering 6-8 months wools, 1-2 inch length, 64's at 38-52.5 cents, mostly 40-50 cents, a few lamb wools, 64-70's 47-50 cents; in recent sales a total of 265,000 pounds sold with staple length 25 micron at $1.05 clean, delivered to mills and 23-25 micron French wool of 2.6-2.7 inch 95 cents to $1.05.

Australia’s eastern market indicator closed down 12 cents to close at 497A cents per kilo, the lowest level of the season. The northern region offered 16,021 bales in a two-day sale, passing on eight percent. The indicator fell 13 cents with the greatest decline on 19 micron and finer. Southern region sales totaled 36,057 bales, passings at 14 percent, with the indicator closing down 11 cents. The western region indicator closed down 22 cents to close at 459. A total of 34,000 bales were offered, but only 21,968 sold. In futures trading on 19 micron contracts, October closed at 760, November and December at 755 and March at 765. The Wool International stockpile now stands at 1,057,118 bales following sales of 8343 bales.

New Zealand information was not available.