Coupled with ongoing sluggish demand, the currency factor eased prices on the local market for most categories except for some of the fine-wool types, Paul Steel, from New Zealand Wool Services International, said.
Mid-micron fleece (29 micron and finer) dropped up to 1.5%, but 20.5-30.5 micron increased 3%.
Fine crossbred (33 and 34 micron) attracted strong competition, increasing 8%-11%, while 35-micron fleece dropped up to 3%.
Fine crossbred shears ranged from firm to 5% down, the shorter types reducing the most.
Good-colour crossbred fleece coarser than 36 micron was 2.5%-3.5% cheaper.
Roger Fuller, of Elders Primary Wool, said the price of pre-lamb crossbred fleece had dropped 23% since the end of June and, with more weights to come forward, that price might continue to slide.
There was limited competition, China, India and the Middle East being the main contenders, supported by Western Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia and, sparingly, New Zealand.
A range of prices. - J. and P. M. Carruthers (Middlemarch), 34 bales crossbred AA, 38.5 micron, 78.6% yield, 290 greasy, 370 clean; C. J. Robertson (Outram), 10 bales crossbred AA, 36 micron, 79.4% yield, 307 greasy, 387 clean; R. D. and M. G. Kenny (Lawrence), 12 bales crossbred lambs AA, 32.1 micron, 82.4% yield, 415 greasy, 504 clean; K. G. and F. A. Thompson (Ranfurly), 11 bales crossbred hogget AA, 34.2 micron, 79% yield, 357 greasy, 452 clean; Strathburn Ltd (Middlemarch), 19 bales crossbred hogget AA, 32.9 micron, 74.7% yield, 388 greasy, 519 clean; S. and J. Horton (Otago), 18 bales crossbred AA, 40.4 micron, 81.1% yield, 294 greasy, 362 clean; B. Landreth (Otago), 25 bales crossbred AA, 34.5 micron, 77.7% yield, 335 greasy, 431 clean; Glenfalloch Partnership (Otago), 33 bales Perendale AA, 35.6 micron, 80.2% yield, 313 greasy, 390 clean; J. W. Blair (Otago), six bales crossbred AA, 39.1 micron, 81.8% yield, 294 greasy, 360 clean; J. and C. McKenzie (Middlemarch), eight bales halfbred, 25.9 micron, 80.2% yield, 836 greasy, 1042 clean, five bales halfbred hogget, 22.8 micron, 73.6% yield, 890 greasy, 1209 clean; H. McKay (Middlemarch), eight bales halfbred, 23.1 micron, 74.4% yield, 1081 greasy, 1453 clean, 18 bales halfbred, 25.8 micron, 76.8% yield, 814 greasy, 1060 clean, five bales halfbred, 30.4 micron, 78.7% yield, 522 greasy, 663 clean.
