Recent lower market levels and slowly reducing stock levels had helped stimulate recent buying, and China was beginning to lift its activity, New Zealand Wool Services International marketing manager Paul Steel said.
Fine mid-micron fleece under 28 micron was firm to 3% easier and the coarser end was up 2%-4%. Fine crossbred fleece gained 2%-3.5%, reflecting Chinese interests, while good-style coarse crossbred fleece remained firm, average styles firm to 3% dearer.
A nominal offering of first lambs' wool was firm to 1.5% dearer, while competition for oddments was strong, all categories rising 6%.
There was widespread competition, China, India and the United Kingdom showing the most interest, supported by Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
Dave Burridge, of PGG Wrightson Wool, said growers should remove extra-coarse full-length crossbred fleeces from their lines, while the use of trained staff was important to maximise the more micron-sensitive market now in place.
A range of prices. -G. and A. Pannett (Roxburgh), 47 bales crossbred AA, 35.4 micron, 78.6% yield, 328 greasy, 417 clean; M. J. Heckler (Omakau), 40 bales Romney AA, 36.6 micron, 77.7% yield, 295 greasy, 380 clean; Minzion Farming Co (Roxburgh), 21 bales Perendale 2-tooth AA, 35.1 micron, 78.6% yield, 339 greasy, 431 clean; Gladford Station Ltd (Outram), 24 bales Romney hogget AA, 34.5 micron, 77% yield, 356 greasy, 462 clean; S. H. Andrews and Son Ltd (Ranfurly), 36 bales crossbred second-shear AA, 39.6 micron, 79.2% yield, 278 greasy, 351 clean; Verterburn Farming Co (Outram), 20 bales Perendale 2-tooth AA, 35.9 micron, 80.9% yield, 320 greasy, 396 clean; Avonrath (Omakau), 37 bales crossbred AA, 38.7 micron, 78.1% yield, 284 greasy, 364 clean; J. P. Roberts (Outram), 57 bales Perendale AA, 36 micron, 81.2% yield, 321 greasy, 395 clean; A. J. Gorton (Brighton), seven bales Perendale hogget AA, 31.6 micron, 75.2% yield, 432 greasy, 574 clean; Horsehoof Station (Outram), 51 bales crossbred AA, 36.7 micron, 78.3% yield, 302 greasy, 386 clean; Huirapa Partnership (Middlemarch), 22 bales medium Romney AA, 35.1 micron, 78.5% yield, 320 greasy, 408 clean; Eweburn Station (Otago), nine bales crossbred AA, 34.6 micron, 77.6% yield, 370 greasy, 477 clean; Stoneburn Station (Otago), 59 bales Romney AA, 35.5 micron, 78.3% yield, 310 greasy, 396 clean.
