Wool News

Wool price and demand in the Year of the Water Dragon

Nobody can predict where prices will head after Chinese New Year but expectations from many analysts is that a tight wool supply and reasonably good demand for luxury items worldwide, and particularly in China, will translate into strong demand for all types of wool and stable prices this year. 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon, the first since 1952. Water has a calming influence on the Dragon, allowing it to see the world from the point of view of others, which is of course lucky for debt stricken Europe ...Full Report »

Wool industry must address polypropylene threat says Jo Dawson

Chief Executive of H Dawson Wool, Jo Dawson, said: “The main challenge for those involved in the supply of wool for carpets for the next 12 months and beyond is to find a solution to redress the balance created by the persistent, aggressive marketing of polypropylene products. The textile industry as a whole is well-aware that the most sustainable, eco-friendly and reliable product is, and in my opinion always will be, wool, yet the consumer is being led to choose a chemical-based product when it comes to carpets, rugs and ...Full Report »

New Zealand wool market report (26 January 2012)

The combined North and South Island Wool auction comprising 21,000 bales saw a 70 percent clearance with mixed fortunes depending on type and selling centre. The NZ dollar against the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was 0.60 percent stronger compared to the last sale on 19th January.   Targeted purchasing of wools suitable for the Chinese market and better style wools held their ground, however there was large variation in price movements between selling centres, with the North Island being affected the most and the poorer coloured wools bearing the ...Full Report »

South African Wool price held up well despite a stronger currency

The market held up well despite a stronger currency and the Cape Wools Merino indicator closed unchanged at R102,47/kg (clean wool) at the sales this week. This was in line with Australia where prices were marginally dearer.   There was keen demand on the auction floor, particularly among grease-wool exporters, which helped to support price levels.   The rand at R7,90, was almost 1% stronger against the US dollar compared with last week’s average rate, but was 0,7% weaker against the euro at R10,27.   The prices of most micron category quality fleece wools (MF5) were ...Full Report »

Australian Wool Production Forecas revised

The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee has revised its 2011/12 wool production forecast from 355 mkg to 350 mkg greasy, which is 1.5% above 2010/11 production. The adjustment has been made mainly because of an expectation of lower fleece weights in some areas than was the case in October. Committee chairman Russell Pattinson said, “Fleece weights in some states have not been as good as the Committee anticipated at the October meeting. “We have also seen animal health issues, due to increased problems with flies and worm burdens, impact on expected wool ...Full Report »

H. DAWSON – Looking for wool trader / topmaker for it Bradford Office

Worldwide wool supplier, H. Dawson is looking for an experienced wool trader / topmaker to join its existing trading team based in Bradford, UK. The company reported a highly successful 2011, and continues to grow, thus creating a very exciting career opportunity for motivated candidates to travel internationally and hold positions of responsibility. H. Dawson has built a strong reputation for supplying quality wool with consistency and reliability. Operating with five partner-offices worldwide, H. Dawson has a global network of supply with access to the very best of processing partners and ...Full Report »

2011 Australian auction figures

Data released by AWEX on Australian wool sales from July to December 2011 revealed that about 82 per cent of Australian wool was sold at auction. Auction clearance in 2011 was down slightly - 6.3% or 54,900 bales compared to 2010. 807,647 bales were sold at auction in 2011. According to AWEX data the top 20 auction buyers from a list of 63 have accounted for 90.6% of the total sales. Viterra was the major buyer with 117,076 bales at auction, representing 14.4%. It was followed by Techwool that purchased 71,230 bales. ...Full Report »

UK major brands – retail casualties 2011

The High Street has been suffering in the consumer downturn. Customers have been watching their pennies amid concerns about high inflation and job security. Some of the retailers who have been hit hardest over the past year include Peacocks clothing chain the discount fashion chain, which was bought in a management buyout from the founding Peacock family in the mid 1990s, was struggling to refinance its £240m debts. If Peacocks was to go into administration it would be one of the largest firms of any description to have done so in ...Full Report »

China ‘losing edge’ as low-cost manufacturer, says KPMG

China is losing its edge as the world's cheapest place to manufacture goods, a new report suggests. Indonesia and Bangladesh are benefiting most as rising costs in China force firms to switch production, it says. The report by consultants KPMG says that minimum wage levels in China are now four times greater than other places in South and South East Asia. However, the report says China can defend its position because of its productivity and infrastructure. China is still dominant in the production of goods such as consumer electronics and furniture. But ...Full Report »

Brazil becomes world’s 5th largest textile producer

Brazil's fast growing economy and the population's buoyant spending have resulted in a large increase in textile and clothing consumption per head in the country -- and this has provided a big boost to production, according to a report in the latest issue of Textile Outlook International from the business information company Textiles Intelligence. Between 2005 and 2010, textile and clothing production in Brazil rose by 25.2%, and this trend is expected to continue. The industry is prominent in world terms and fulfils a central role in the country's manufacturing sector. ...Full Report »

China and Japan plan direct currency exchange to boost trade

China and Japan have unveiled plans to promote direct exchange of their currencies in a bid to cut costs for companies and boost bilateral trade. The deal will allow firms to convert the Chinese and Japanese currencies directly into each other. Currently businesses in both countries need to buy US dollars before converting them into the desired currency, adding extra costs. It is the latest step by China as it seeks a more global role for the yuan. "Given the huge size of the trade volume between Asia's two biggest economies, this agreement ...Full Report »

AWTA key test data summary for December 2011

The monthly comparisons of Total Lots, Bales and Weight for December 2011 compared with the same period last season are 5.1%, -6.6% and -7.2% respectively. The progressive comparisons of Total Lots, Bales and Weight for July 2011 – December 2011 compared with the same period last season are: +2.3%, -0.9% and -1.7% respectively. Progressively AWTA Ltd has tested 185.2 Mkg (million kilograms) this season compared with 188.4 Mkg for the equivalent period last season.   Full Report »

Latest News from IWTO

Update on new CEN carpet (wall-to wall) classification - on behalf of IWTO, wool expert and consultant, Klaus Steimann, is coordinating the ‘united one wool voice’ initiative for new CEN European carpet classification (TC134 WG8) which includes the following topics: • Test cycles with underlay will have 4,000/12,000 cycles • Lower grades for wool compared to man-made carpets • ...Full Report »

Yarn in Super 120’S wool produced by Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia

Brand New Wool (NM 2/60 e 2/80) is the highly technological yarn in Super 120’S wool produced by Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia, as a sign of the company’s commitment to research and innovation, according to a press release issues by the company. The company has announced that this exclusive processing technique will boost some of the distinctive properties of wool. Brand New Wool, says the company, demonstrate attributes which make it an appropriate yarn to produce contemporary and super comfort knitwear, for travelling, the outdoors, freetime and work. “Smart” moisture management: the ...Full Report »

AWI reports strong interest in broader wool types

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Woolmark licensees have reported strong interest in broader wool products at Heimtextil, the world’s largest trade fair for home textiles. Over 2,600 exhibitors and 70,000 people from 61 countries attended the four day trade fair, seen as a platform for manufacturers, retailers and designers. Many visited the Wool Arena, set up by AWI to showcase eight licensees across the bedding and carpet markets. “We’ve had the best enquiry in four years at this event and we have seen some countries returning for the first time in some ...Full Report »

China export growth slows on weak demand from Europe

Growth in China's exports slowed in December because of sluggish demand from the US and Europe. Exports rose by 13.4% from a year earlier, the customs agency said, down from 13.8% in November. Import growth also slowed, rising 11.8% compared with the previous year, much lower than the 22.1% growth in November. The latest figures could fuel worries that the world's second largest economy is losing steam. China's Vice Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said on Monday that the country's foreign trade environment could be bleak in 2012, as demand declines. Analysts echoed that ...Full Report »

IAA keeping a watch on Alpaca internationally registered symbol

Since its establishment by the alpaca fibre processing industry in Arequipa in 1984, the International Alpaca Association (IAA) has been at the forefront of efforts to maintain the quality of alpaca fibre from the farm gate to the final consumer ever since. Prior to the formation of the IAA, the alpaca fibre sector was somewhat disorganised with a wide range of fibre finenesses that were not always commercially repeatable as well as blends with wool masquerading as 100% alpaca.   The establishment and registration of an internationally recognisable symbol together with a ...Full Report »

China province raises minimum wage by 23%

Sichuan province in southwest China has increased the minimum wage sharply to try and attract workers amid a rapidly rising cost of living. Sichuan raised the minimum monthly wage by 23.4% starting on 1 January, said Xinhua, the state news agency. That is one of the biggest increases, with most other provinces raising wages in line with government advice of 13%. Severe labour shortages in Chinese cities have prompted wage rises in many provinces this year and last. Sichuan province is a major source of migrant workers for cities across China, in ...Full Report »