With the last of the season's merino wool on offer, prices were reasonably firm, up to 3% dearer, except for 17 micron and finer, which were slightly cheaper, Roger Fuller, of Elders Primary Wool, said.
Concern over the European debt crisis was affecting some micron categories and causing nervousness among exporters.
Wool quality was still excellent and, with the summer shearing due to start, it was important the shed work was done on the fleeces to attract good premiums, Mr Fuller said.
Competition was well spread, with China and Western Europe dominating the fine wool sector, New Zealand Wool Services International general manager John Dawson said.
China continued to strongly influence the fine crossbreds and hoggets, with Australia and New Zealand and the United Kingdom dominating the coarse carpet wools, supported by China and the Middle East.
• A range of prices.-
Skarabrae Farms (Otago), 22 bales crossbred hogget, 31.3 micron, 75.2% yield, 540 greasy, 718 clean; K. and W. Proudfoot (Balclutha), 11 bales Romney hogget, 32.1 micron, 81.1% yield, 557 greasy, 686 clean; 4 Rivers Farming (Waikouaiti), 23 bales Perendale hogget, 33.6 micron, 75.9% yield, 510 greasy, 671 clean; F. Booth (Roxburgh), 11 bales Romney early shear, 36.5 micron, 80.6% yield, 563 greasy, 698 clean; Taihoa Farming (Kurow), 17 bales Corriedale hogget, 26.1 micron, 60.7% yield, 586 greasy, 965 clean; Lammermoor Partnership (Ranfurly), two bales merino hogget, 15.6 micron, 73.2% yield, 2150 greasy, 2937 clean; Little Valley (Alexandra), one bale merino hogget, 15.7 micron, 71.2% yield, 2260 greasy, 3174 clean, three bales merino hogget, 16.3 micron, 69.2% yield, 1830 greasy, 2644 clean; Dunstan Downs (Omarama), four bales merino hogget, 16 micron, 74.4% yield, 1960 greasy, 2634 clean; Five Rivers (Omarama), two bales merino hogget, 16.1 micron, 69% yield, 1800 greasy, 2608 clean; Dunstan Peaks (Omarama), three bales merino, 16.9 micron, 69.1% yield, 1580 greasy, 2286 clean, three bales merino 2-tooth, 17 micron, 70.1% yield, 1628 greasy, 2322 clean, one bale merino 2-tooth, 18.6 micron, 73% yield, 1440 greasy, 1972 clean; Lake Ohau Station (Omarama), four bales merino hogget, 17.2 micron, 70.1% yield, 1530 greasy, 2182 clean; B. and M. Patterson (Omarama), two bales merino, 18 micron, 72% yield, 1489 greasy, 2068 clean.
