BKB’s wool manager, Basie Claassen, said despite the slight drop in the market, fine wool of 16 microns to 18 microns continued its good run and closed 3% to 5% dearer. Good-quality fleece wool and pieces 60mm and longer (20 microns to 23 microns) were 2% cheaper.
Cape Mohair and Wool’s Johan Louw said competition was excellent with grease wool exporter Standard Wool being the most active. Prices for 18,5 microns and finer gained 5,5%, while 19 microns sold at 1% higher and 20 microns to 22 microns remained on par with last week’s prices. Seed-contaminated wool and charred types also attracted good bidding. Even wool containing a high percentage of vegetable matter was some 3% more expensive. Stronger wool of 22,5 microns and coarser shed 2%.
According to Cape Wools, the offering comprised 8 538 bales of which 96% was sold. Average prices for good top-making (MF5), sound, long fleeces (less than 1% seed content) were as follows: 19 microns up 1,5% to R74,73/kg; 19,5 microns up 0,8% to R70,04/ kg; 20 microns 1,2% cheaper at R65,48/kg; 20,5 microns 1,6% down to R64,15/kg; 21 microns 1,9% down to R62,86/ kg; 21,5 microns 1,9% softer at R62,45/kg; and 22 microns 1,2% cheaper at R61,54/kg. Major buyers were Standard Wool (3 038 bales), Modiano (1 540 bales), Lempriere (1 509 bales), and Stucken (1 333 bales). Standard Wool paid R68/kg for three bales BFH CapeMerino-lot, (16,7 microns), belonging to BA Burger from Cathcart in the Eastern Cape.
