Farmers received some good news last week with prices from crossbred and fine wool all lifting on recent sales.
All types of crossbred wool rose in price while the first sale of fine wool held in Melbourne saw prices for most varieties open at levels ahead of last season's peak.
Wool Partners International auctioneer Dave Burridge said fine crossbred fleece, 35 microns and finer, rose 2% to 3% compared to the last sale held on August 17, with stronger fleece rising 1% to 3%.
Prices for second shear wool rose 2%, while crossbred oddments continued to attract demand and firmed in price.
A small offering of mid micron wool rose 2%.
Just 7400 bales from both the North and South Islands were offered, with close to 95% selling, the low offering helping underpin the price.
The New Zealand Merino (NZM) company sold 800 bales through the Melbourne auction, mostly unsold wool from last season, with the offering weighted towards wool 17 micron and finer.
NZM commercial manager Keith Ovens said prices for wool 14 to 17 micron were ahead of the peak last season, helped by the return of several European mills that did not buy last season.
There was also a new Australian buyer of New Zealand wool at the sale.
Viterra deals with buyers in Europe and China.
Wool of 18 micron also lifted in price but 19-micron wool eased 10c to 15c a kg.
The sale indicator price across all wool types was 1146c, compared to an average last season of about 1000c.
Mr Ovens said there was a 14% passing rate, mostly for wool less than 15 micron, which was still struggling to find a market prepared to pay a premium price.
Unsettled weather has delayed pre-lamb shearing in New Zealand but the next sale in two weeks should have 1500 bales of new season's merino wool.
