The predicted downward pressure on adult mohair and strong young goat hair has materialised, Pierre van der Vyver, general manager for Mohair at Cape Mohair and Wool (CMW), told Farmer’s Weekly after the opening sale of the winter season. The larger than normal offering of short mohair also had a negative effect, with the average market indicator down 10% on the previous summer sale. “In comparison with the opening winter sale of 2006, the market was more or less unchanged. High-quality clips still achieved good prices. However, the new price level of adult hair especially should move sideways in a narrow band for the rest of the season,” he said.
CMW has warned producers about previous sale reports that length and especially fineness would be a major price factor this season, and this was proven by price differences of up to R20/kg between 31 to 32 micron and 33 to 34 micron. The price difference between 26 to 27 micron and 28 to 29 micron was as much as R40/kg. Mohair South Africa warned producers that the sale should not be used as a barometer for the rest of the winter season because of the mixed quality and short hair offered. Johan Botha of Rietbron sold his EGT-tested clip at an average of R85,60/kg.
The highest price of the day was for a bale of Pure kids from the CMW binning department at R166/kg. The price of kid mohair decreased by 14,8% with a market indicator of R110,80/kg and a sale clearance of 100%; young goat hair decreased by 10,5% with a market indicator of R71,47/kg and a sale clearance of 99%; and adult mohair decreased by 8,2% with a market indicator of R57,13/kg and a sale clearance of 100%. The overall sale clearance was 96% and the overall market indicator was R70,56/kg, a decrease of 10,1%. A large volume of mohair will be offered at the next sale on 4 September 2007. – Roelof Bezuidenhout
