Traders report reluctance from some clients to buy at current levels, while demand from other areas remains firm.

The rand was fairly unchanged against the US dollar, trading at an average rate of R8.82, which was up a negligible 0.1% on the average rate at the previous sale, while at R11.96; it had gained 1.1% against the euro.

It was a fairly large offering of 12891 bales and a sales percentage of 99% was achieved. 99% was sold.

Major buyers were Modiano SA (3701 bales) and Stucken & Co (2797 bales), Lempriere SA (2778 bales), and Standard Wool (2217 bales).

Most quality fleece wool types were slightly dearer with the average price for good top-making types of 19 microns gaining almost 2%.

The average clean prices for the different categories good top-making (MF5), long fleeces were as follows: 18 microns were down a slight 0.4% at R126.69/kg, 18.5 microns gained 0.5% at R125.17/kg, 19 microns were 1.8% dearer at R123.26/kg, 19.5 microns gained 0.6% to R119.28/kg, 20 microns were up by a marginal 0.2% at R114.73/kg, 20.5 microns rose by 1.7% to R113.51/kg, 21 microns increased by 0.9% to R112.08/kg, 21.5 microns were 0.9% dearer at R111.56/kg, and 22 microns rose 0.5% to close at R111.63/kg. 

Approximately 7500 bales will be on offer at next week’s sale.

Cape Wools