Wool buyers say they are looking for price consolidation to retain their confidence.
Wool Partners International auctioneer Dave Burridge said buyers made this comment at last week's Christchurch sale, in which prices for better style ewe wool was dearer but lamb's wool was slightly cheaper.
Just 3% of the South Island offering was passed in, but over the combined North Island and South Island sales, less than 10% of the 11,345 bale offering failed to reach grower's reserve.
Compared to the previous sale on February 10, Mr Burridge said good style crossbred fleece, 31 to 39 micron, was 2% to 3% dearer and poorer styles up to 2% dearer.
Second shear fleece were 3% dearer and crossbred oddments up to 2% higher, but new season's lamb's wool was up to 2% cheaper.
New Zealand Wool Services International general manager John Dawson, said demand continued to be solid for most wool types. however a limited offering of mid micron fleece, 25 to 28 micron, eased 6% to 8%, reversing the gains made last week.
Coarser mid micron wool remained firm.
Interest predominantly came from China, India, Australia, New Zealand and western Europe supported by the Middle East and Asia.