The volume of wool exports so far this season was 20% less than last year and the value of those exports was 9% lower.
Council of Wool Exporters president John Henderson said this indicated exporters were performing well despite difficult economic conditions.
Statistics provided by the Meat and Wool New Zealand show in the year to the end of February, export prices to farmers had actually increased on last year.
In data which might surprise some sheep farmers, the average price paid to farmers to the end of February was higher than last season, with fine crossbred up 15.8%, strong crossbred gaining 11% and mid micron up 5.4%.
"We're reflecting the statistics and what they're telling us," Mr Henderson said in an interview.
However, some sheep farmers say the cost of harvesting, transporting and selling their wool exceeds the income they earn from it and at most recent sales, 40% of each offering was passed in after failing to reach growers' reserve prices.
In inflation-adjusted terms, prices today are half those of 1980.
Wool Partners International (WPI), a marketing company created by the Government and growers, rejected Mr Henderson's claim of better prices, saying the improvement was because of the fall in the New Zealand dollar.
"Without that fall, export prices for New Zealand crossbred wool were down by 6.4%," it said in a statement.
WPI added that farm-gate prices had dropped $1.15 a kg, or 30%, since September, and 14% compared with prices last March.
Mr Henderson said exporters were also hurting financially but had performed well under testing conditions, a collapse in prices since the start of this year and little new business being written.
"Despite the sudden dip in prices over the last few months, these export figures mirror the average auction prices for the season to date quite closely, and prove that the farmer does get a direct benefit from the present system," Mr Henderson said.
But traditional key wool export markets have been hit hard by the global recession.
Volumes to the United Kingdom were down 26%, Italy down 15%, Iran 76%, United States 21.5%, Japan 27%, India 19% and Nepal 24%.
The free-trade agreement with China has made that market more accessible and trade volumes were holding. Exporters had also found new markets.
Meanwhile, prices at last week's South Island wool sale in Christchurch firmed for most types despite 39% of the 8647 bales on offer being passed in.
Wool Services International reported that prices for fine crossbred rose 1% to 2%, 32 and 33 micron was 1.5% to 4% dearer and 34 and 35-micron wool met with limited demand, prices falling 1% to 2%.
Some types of coarse carpet wool rose 4% to 6%, but average-style fleece eased 5% to 6% and coarse shears fell 2% to 2.5%.
Lambswool under 29.5 micron was up to 3% dearer, and coarse types and longer fleece were up to 2% cheaper.
