Tight supplies helped prices improve for most wool types at last week's combined South and North Island wool sales.
The weather gods have conspired against sheep farmers keen to finally enjoy some prosperity from higher wool prices as the exchange rate against the United States dollar falls to its lowest level in 10 months.
A favourable exchange rate could not prevent prices easing at last week's combined sale of North and South Island wool in Christchurch and Napier.
A stronger exchange rate forced down prices at last week's combined South and North Island wool sales.
It may take three to five years to get better prices for wool, Wool Partners International chairwoman Theresa Gattung told the Rural Women New Zealand conference in Balclutha yesterday.