Prices for merino wool rose sharply at last week's South Island wool sale in Christchurch, while the price for other varieties remained steady.
New Zealand Wool Services International reports that despite a 1% increase in the value of the New Zealand dollar, merino fleece, 19 micron and finer, rose in price between 5% and 10% since the last sale on September 17, while 19.5 micron and coarser increased by up to 5%.
Fine crossbred fleece and shears were 1% dearer while coarse crossbred fleece and second shear was in buyer's favour.
Oddments were 2% cheaper.
The sale attracted 13,000 bales and 84% was sold.
Buyers of fine wool were from Western Europe and China, while China, India, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand bought the crossbred offering.