19/04/2010

Slight improvement in Australian wool production

The best seasonal conditions in many parts of eastern Australia for several years, combined with some stabilisation of sheep numbers, are expected to result in higher shorn wool production in 2010/11, according to the latest forecasts from the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee released today.

In its first forecast for the 2010/11 season, the Committee predicts that shorn wool production in Australia will rise to 350 mkg greasy, largely due to an expected increase in fleece weights given the good seasonal conditions in many parts of eastern Australia. The Committee also revised upwards its forecast for Australian shorn wool production in 2009/10 to 340 mkg greasy, up from its December 2009 forecast of 330 mkg greasy. This compares with a final estimate for 2008/09 of 362 mkg greasy.