The last sale of the wool selling season held on June 10 in Gqeberha had 6 043 bales on offer of which 97 % were sold, according to Cape Wools. The next sale will be at the end of August.

Long-length wools comprised just under half of the offering, with 64% of the offering testing 20 micron and finer, with the All-Merino indicator increasing by 0,2% to close on R270,86 p/kg.

More buyers competing for top clips

Wool appraiser Jacques Taljaard told Farmer’s Weekly that it was pleasing that more buyers were now bidding on the top 10-performing clips and that the market was no longer dominated by a single buying house.

De Villiers Merinos of Aliwal North, selling on the OVK auction, fetched R271.20 (greasy) for a two-bale BBFH lot of 17,6 microns. The clean price was R330.29/kg and the buyer was Segard Masurel SA.

The major buyers were G Modiano SA (1 453 bales), Standard Wool SA (1 073), Tianyu SA (999) and BKB Pinnacle Fibres (873).

Australian market continues upward trend

The Australian wool market continued its climb to close at 1 979 ac/kg. However, according to Australian Wool Innovation’s report, the lower exchange rate saw benchmark indicators decline in US dollar terms.

Fine Merino fleece types (16,5 to 19µm) generally added 20c to 25c, while medium Merinos (19,5 to 21µm) again outperformed, recording gains of 35c to 40c across the selling centres. Crossbred wools (25–32µm) continued their recent positive trend, rising 10c to 15c, and Merino cardings improved by 25c to 30c.

The marker now sits at its highest point since October 2018 and just 21c below the 2,000 ac/kg threshold. Strength in medium Merinos, crossbreds and cardings suggested buyer confidence was being driven by wider market fundamentals rather than isolated demand for a single wool type.

Smallest Australian offering since 2020

The most recent offering in Australia was the smallest since 2020, highlighting the tightening supply conditions currently supporting the market and a subsequent rise in the price of uncertified wools.

“We’re seeing a week-on-week 1,5% rise in prices, with all types of wool benefitting, from bellies and lox to crossbreds,” BKB auctioneer Leon du Plessis told Farmer’s Weekly, adding that farmers are now being rewarded for well-prepared clips.

At the same time, he said, processors are very happy with the quality of South Africa’s wool. At the second-last auction of the season, held by Cape Wools in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on 2 June, some clips achieved outstanding prices. For example, a bale of 18,3-micron wool achieved R242/kg, a level previously reserved for super-fine wools.

Only 5 137 bales were on offer, of which 60% tested 20 micron and finer, and less than half were of long length.

Cape Wools SA noted that the market was solid, despite the rand being around 2,6% stronger against the US dollar.

An overall sales clearance of 91,82% was achieved, and the all-indicator rose by 1,7% to close at R270,39/kg, with the certified indicator closing 1,4% higher at R276,93/kg.

The highest price of R348,40/kg clean (R242/kg greasy) was paid by Standard Wool for a single bale of 18,2-micron merino wool.

The major buyers were Standard Wool SA (922 bales bought), Tianyu SA (845), Stucken & Co (787), and BKB Pinnacle Fibres (669).

Australian market trends

In Australian dollar terms, the market rose by just under 3,5%, compared with the previous sale.

According to a market report by Australian Wool Innovation, buyers are operating in an environment where securing volume remains a key priority.

In addition, buyer behaviour points to an increasing preference for wool that delivers processing certainty, as processors are willing to pay more for wool offering superior yield, consistency, and manufacturing efficiency.

As raw wool prices rise, the commercial cost of processing risk also increases, further supporting demand for higher-performing lots.

However, Australian wool supply continued to track at low levels, with the latest offering the smallest seen in 12 months.

A total of 7 647 bales were on offer, after 472 were withdrawn beforehand. The offering mainly consisted of medium length wools, with 76% testing 20 micron and finer.

A highest price of R360,04 p/kg clean (R240,00 p/kg greasy) was paid for a single bale lot of 14,8-micron Merino wool.

The major buyers on the sale were Standard Wool SA (1 531), Tianyu SA (1 414), BKB Pinnacle Fibres (1 363), and G Modiano SA (1 057).

BKB’s auctioneer Leon Du Plessis, and appraiser Jacque Taljaard, agreed that the market is looking good and the next sales would be smaller.

“Prices not only kept their levels of the previous sale but wool is clearly in demand,” said Du Plessis. “Even stuff that seemed stuck is moving. An average price of more than R200/kg is good money and 50% higher than a year ago.

“This is the most expensive wool I’ve ever sold. But we’re still missing Europe’s interest in the super fine bracket.”

White wools improve

White wools like SA Mutton Merino, added Taljaard, also picked up, averaging more than R84/kg.

“VBC, with their strict typing system, also came in with 100 bales. You can feel honoured if they bought some of your wool. It may end up in an expensive men’s suit,” he said.

OVK’s best price of R236,90/kg (clean price R331,69) was fetched by DL Conroy of Victoria West. His three-bale lot of seven-microns was bought by VBC.

Australian market strengthens

Australia Wool Innovation (AWI) said their market improved in US dollar terms as the Aussie dollar broke above 72 US cents for the first time since 2022.

The underlying bullish tone of the wool market remained intact, AWI said, although fine Merino types (16,5 to 19μm) eased, while medium Merinos (19,5–21μm) recorded larger losses.

Merino cardings and crossbred gained 15c to 20c across the selling centres, the latter reflecting the relative strength of the crossbred and oddments sectors. This may reflect increased demand for blended fibre applications, and woollen-spinning inputs as processors chased lower-cost raw materials amid ongoing macro uncertainty.

The resilience of these sectors contrasted with continued weakness across lower-style Merino fleece types, reinforcing that buyer competition remained selective, with processors continuing to prioritise fibre specifications that delivered greater processing efficiency and consistency as manufacturing margins remained under pressure, according to AWI.

The downward trend comes after the previous sale which saw all buying houses competing throughout the day. However, the rand, which traded 4% up, also dampened the market.

The offering, of which 95% was sold, consisted of good quality mohair, 86% of which was RMS-certified, according to Mohair SA.

The finer segments of the market did well, but the stronger lots experienced downward pressure.

Pierre van der Vyver of the House of Fibres said that while the kid market improved by 1%, the young goat component came down a ‘disappointing’ 5% while adults fell by 3%.

“Clearly resistance has built up against the good bids we were getting for young goat hair – used mostly for velour products – which has increased in price by about 20% since February,” he said.

With all the major buyers competing for the big offering of very high-quality kid mohair, the eight-year-old world record of R1 256,10/kg for a bale of trophy mohair offered by Van Hasselt Farming, Prince Albert, in 2018, was broken when the best bale of Robert and Michael Bosch (Rietfontein Familieboerdery) of Somerset East, sold for R1261/kg. OVK Bins fetched the highest bin price for a super style BSFFK bale of 23,1 microns and a 95,7% clean yield.

Hof sold 69% of the offering while OVK sold 32%. The buyers’ breakdown was: Stucken 42%; Samil 37%; Suedwolle 10%; Mosenthals 7%; VBC 3%; Connacher 1%; Standard Wool SA 0,5%; and the Loot Lotter Familietrust 0%.

The next sale on 12 May will offer the top clips in the country.

Prices surged on the back of a rising Australian market. The all-merino indicator gained 5,7% to close on R263,60/kg, with the certified indicator rising by 6,4% to close on R269,68 p/kg. A highest price of R372,37/kg (clean – R255,00/kg greasy) was paid for a single bale lot of 15,5-micron merino wool, said Cape Wools.

Long, certified fleece wool of 18-micron and a tensile strength of 35 (NKT) sold on average for R295/kg (clean), 8,6% up, according to BKB’s analysis. The highest price on the OVK auction was R313.99/kg (clean) for a bale of AH of 8,7-microns from the clip of WD Strauss, from Philippolis.

The major buyers were Standard Wool SA (2 261), BKB Pinnacle Fibres (2 159), Tianyu SA (2 098) and G Modiano SA (1 568).

The Australian market built on the good performance of the previous week and gained a further 3,8% in Australian dollars, compared to the previous sale held on 15 April. This, according to Australia Wool Innovation (AWI) marked a third consecutive sale of rising prices. Year-on-year, the index now sat 53.8% higher in Australian dollar terms, and 74% higher in US dollars, underlining the depth of demand supporting the market, AWI said.

Fine wools again led the market, with finer merino fleece types (16,5 to 19 micro) posting gains in the order of 90 to 95 cents. Medium merino categories (19,5 to 24 micron) followed closely, adding 85 to 90 cents. Merino cardings also recorded solid gains.

A reduced offering, down 11 099 bales on the previous sale, contributed to the price gains, with strong competition for well-prepared clips. Clearance rates remained above 97%, highlighting continued buyer willingness to meet the market and secure volume.

The market was being underpinned by a tightening supply and sustained demand, with little evidence of buyer resistance. While the short-term outlook remained positive, maintaining momentum would depend on developments in the uncertain global economic environment.

The next sale in South Africa will be on 6 May 2026, when approximately 7 028 bales will be on offer.

“This reaffirms what we have repeated time and again, namely that it pays to produce sound wool and prepare it well for the auction,” Jacques Taljaard at BKB, said.

Only 6 628 bales were on offer, with 71% testing 20 micron and finer. Despite the stronger rand, prices remained firm in US dollar terms.

According to Cape Wools SA, only 85% of the wool was sold due to the composition of the offering.

The all-Merino indicator shed 1,3% to close at R249,35/kg, while the certified indicator declined by 1,8% to close at R253,39/kg. The highest price of R331,87/kg (clean), equivalent to R234/kg greasy, was paid for a single-bale lot of 16,2-micron Merino wool.

The major buyers were Standard Wool South Africa (1 310 bales), BKB Pinnacle Fibres (962), Stucken & Co (843), and Tianyu SA (813).

The Australian market was still in recess for Easter, and sellers were hopeful the rebound on 2 April, after two consecutive losses, would continue when sales resumed on 13 April.

That rebound, according to Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), was driven by competition from buyers securing volumes before the recess.

A reduced offering, combined with growing awareness that available stocks of stored wool are diminishing, continues to shape the broader market outlook. As a result, the market is expected to become increasingly reliant on freshly shorn wool.

Meanwhile, AWI reports that buyer preference remains clearly focused on higher-specification wool, reinforcing the premium for well-prepared clips with low vegetable matter and reliable fibre specifications.

The next sale in South Africa will be on 22 April when approximately 10 359 bales will be on offer.

Speaking after the 27th sale of the season, Du Plessis said the market was benefiting from reduced global availability.

“Wool stocks have been used up and only freshly shorn wool is now available for sale. Demand is starting to outstrip supply, with Australian auctions getting smaller,” he said.

He added that there was a noticeable shift in sentiment compared with previous seasons.

“Compared to a few seasons ago, one can feel a positive energy in the auction hall. Wool is in a good place right now, but should the war in the Middle East continue much longer we can expect rising fuel costs to affect markets.”

Competition was particularly strong in the finer micron categories.

“The competition was particularly good in the 17-micron bracket, especially for selected clips. The gap in price between fine wool and medium wool seems to be widening, with fine wools becoming more expensive,” Du Plessis said.

According to Cape Wools, only 6 109 bales were on offer at the sale. Despite a variable, but stronger rand against the US dollar, the market remained resilient. However, the composition of the offering contributed to a lower sales clearance of 89,2%.

The all-merino indicator increased by 2,9% to close at R252,65/kg, while the certified indicator rose by 3,2% to R258/kg.

A top price of R325,34/kg (clean) and R213/kg (greasy) was achieved for a single bale lot of 16,1-micron merino wool.

This performance follows a rebound in the Australian market, which closed 3,6% higher (in Australian dollar terms) compared with its previous sale.

The main buyers at the sale were G Modiano South Africa (1 358 bales), Standard Wool South Africa (1 327), Tianyu South Africa (768), and BKB Pinnacle Fibres (749).

According to Pierre van der Vyver, head of The House of Fibre, a 38-micron lot sold for R280/kg, while a 21-micron bale of kid mohair reached R1110/kg, underlining the significant price differences between micron categories.

“This summer kid bale of Martin and Hein Truter of Die Wieg Boerdery in the Oudtshoorn district consisted of super style, B-length hair, and had a clean yield of 92%, certainly the best quality offered this year so far,” he said.

Van der Vyver added that, despite some downward pressure on stronger types, the market remained firm.

“What matters most, however, is that prices are still better than a year ago and all the buyer houses competed well. There were only three sales left for the season when top clips came up for sale.

“The House of Fibre is confident that we are going to see more record prices for summer kids.”

According to Mohair South Africa, 156 849kg was on offer at the sale, of which 96% was sold. The average market indicator decreased by 1% (3% in US dollar terms) compared with the previous sale, to close at R403,86/kg.

Price movements compared with the previous sale were mixed: kid mohair increased by 2%, young goats decreased by 1%, fine adults were down 1%, strong adults declined by 2%, and the overall average was down 1%.

Buyer participation was led by Stucken Group and Samil, each taking 34% of the clip, followed by Süed Wolle (11%), Mosenthal’s (9%), Connacher (7%), VBC (4%), Standard Wool South Africa (1%), and Loot Lotter Familie Trust (0%).

The next mohair sale is scheduled for 21 April in Gqeberha.

“The healthy demand from all buyers was great. It has been years since we have seen such competition,” he said.

The other major factor was the quality of the offering, the best-ever for a third sale of the season.

Sias Reynolds of Kamferskraal Boerdery, Beaufort West, stole the limelight with a super style, B-length bale of 20,4-micron and a clean yield of 89,9%. This bale sold for a seasonal record price of R1 005/kg, bought by Paul Lynch from Standard Wool for a specialist spinner in Italy.

Next was the super style, B-length bale put up by Petrus Marx of Wolmaransstad, which tested 23-microns, with a clean yield of 95%.

Another stud breeder, Izak and Zak van der Merwe, from Kunna Familie Trust in Aberdeen, followed closely with a record-breaking super style 25-micron bale at R993/kg.

According to Mohair SÁ, the sale had 168 385kg on the floor of which 99% was sold. The offering consisted of good quality hair (87% RMS-certified). All the buying houses were active and the weaker rand also contributed to the increased demand.

The average market indicator increased by 4% (increased by 3% in dollar terms) from the previous sale, to close on R407,44 p/kg.

Buyers’ participation was as follows: Stucken 34%, Samil 31%, Suedwolle 11%, Mosenthals 9%, Connacher 8%, VBC 6%, Standard Wool SA 1%, Loot Lotter Familie Trust 0%.

The ram, HE 23 227, and in-lamb ewe, HE 24 60, were both sold by Marius and Jan Eksteen of Hatari Farming in Bloemfontein to Johan and Carien Botha of Solitaire Dormers in Bloemfontein.

According to the auction catalogue, the ram boasts outstanding indices and lineage, while the ewe is due to lamb twins in October. She is also a daughter of the well-known ram Dallas and boasts outstanding indices.

Thirty-five rams were sold on the day for an average price of R20 060, while the 59 ewes sold averaged R18 085.

The sellers were Andrew and Jumari Roberts from Maize Valley Stud near Hoopstad, Free State. They were also winners at the South African Boer Goat Breeders’ Society’s World Show held earlier this year.

The Roberts’ Savannah ewe Maize Valley Savanna 95220248 fetched R240 000 at the same auction sale, setting a new South African Savanna breed record for ewes.

The buyer of both the highest priced ram and ewe is a new farmer to the goat market, Lennon Nkosi from Mbombela, Mpumalanga. He said he was serious about starting his goat farm with the best genetic lines available, which is why he made sure not to be outbid on the animals today.

A new benchmark was set as five ewes each sold for more than R100 000, a first for a Savanna goats auction.

The sale was held by Danie Strauss from Central Saleyard, and André Kock & Sons from Limpopo.

The event ended on a high note, with the top-priced in-calf heifer, Iris SZ 222743, sold by Liz Reilly of Impofu Ranch to Ntaba Nyoni Stud for R800 000.

The highest-priced bull, Lot 4 Ferdinand BH 18-15, was also sold by Reilly, to Olifantsklip Borans for R350 000.

The average prices achieved during the auction were as follows:

• 3-in-1 lots averaged R123 000;
• Bulls averaged R223 333;
• Cows and calf averaged R120 000;
• In-calf cows averaged R68 333;
• In-calf heifers averaged R135 692;
• Mixed commercial cattle averaged R24 000;
• Commercial cow and calf pairs averaged R25 000;
• Commercial in-calf heifers averaged R19 750.

The highest price of the day was paid for the bull MS 22 020, which was sold to Corné Rust of Izmar Sussex in Moorreesburg and Albert Deon Kotze of Acmaija Sussex in Agter-Paarl for R160 000.

Sussex bulls sold for an average of R53 406,25, open heifers for an average of R9 000, and cows for an average of R14 697,67.

Cows with calves sold for an average price of R17 500.

The sale was held by Vleissentraal, with Jakkie Nel as the auctioneer.

The sale took place on 22 August. The highest price of the day was paid for the colt Torremolinos by Vercingetorix out of Alboran Sea, which was sold by Wilgerbosdrift to Rakesh Singh for R2,8 million.

The second-highest price of the day was paid for the colt Go Johnny Go by Gimmethegreenlight out of Touch the Sky, which was sold by Varsfontein Stud to JASM Solutions for R2 million.

The unnamed colt by Vercingetorix out of Semra achieved the third-highest price of the day when he was sold by Millstream Farm to Form Bloodstock for R1,9 million.

The sale was held by Bloodstock South Africa.

Sussex bulls sold for an average price of R59 367, while in-calf heifers sold for an average of R16 500.

Dormer rams sold for an average price of R6 095 and Dormer ewes for an average of R 3 420.

The sale was held by OVK, with Jakkie Nel as the auctioneer.

Two Brangus bulls shared the highest price achieved on the day of R125 000.

The bull FR 21 202 was bought by Brenda Davidson of North Eastern Cape Forests in Ugie, and the bull FR 21 124 was bought by Paul Button of Button Brangus in Umzimkulu, KwaZulu-Natal.

Brangus bulls achieved an average price of R58 175, and Charolais bulls fetched an average price of R41 000.

The average price for Brangus commercial cows was R16 931, with the highest price of R17 500 paid by Casper Scheppel of Maclear.

The sale was held by Vleissentraal, with André van Zyl as the the auctioneer.

The highest price of the day was paid for a ram, which was sold to Matthew Morgan of MJ Morgan Farming in Tarkastad for R15 500.

Rams achieved an average price of R7 181,82.

2T open ewes were sold for an average price of R1 516,67, while 6T open ewes achieved an average price of R1 550.

FM open ewes were sold for an average price of R1 600.
The sale was held by BKB, with JP Marais as the auctioneer.

The highest price of the day was paid for a ram, which was sold to JJ Wessels of Edenville for R100 000. Rams achieved an average price of R14 772,73.

4T to FM in-lamb ewes carrying singletons were sold for an average price of R2 250, while 4T to FM in-lamb ewes carrying twins achieved an average price of R2 750.

4T to FM open ewes were sold for an average price of R1 700.

The sale was held by BKB, with Gert Jordaan as the auctioneer.

The highest price of the day was paid for a ram, which was sold to Arno Pienaar of PJCS Pienaar Boerdery in Edenburg for R17 000.

Rams achieved an average price of R8 602,94.

Open ewes achieved an average price of R2 766,67, while in-lamb ewes were sold for an average price of R3 423,08.

2T to 4T flock ewes achieved an average price of R2 446,15.

The sale was held by BKB, with JP Marais as the auctioneer.

The highest price of the day was paid for a ram, which was sold to Chris Isted of Barkly East for R30 000. Rams achieved an average price of R8 411,76.

Flock rams were sold for an average price of R6 400.

Ewes were sold for an average price of R5 119,05, while in-lamb ewes achieved an average price of R2 691,18. Flock ewes achieved an average price of R1 900.

The sale was held by OVK, with Danie Strauss as the auctioneer