Australian wool production down 2% this season: AWPFC

15 Dec '14

2 min read

Wool production in Australia will decrease by about two per cent for 2014-15 season to 334 million kilograms greasy, compared to previous season’s total of 341 million kg, the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC) said in its December 2014 forecast.

However, the production is now anticipated to be slightly less than the decline previously forecast in August. AWPFC chairman Russell Pattinson said, “While the Committee expected in August that average fleece weights would improve this season, the increase appears to have been better than anticipated in some regions, notably in the southern half of New South Wales (NSW) where seasonal conditions are reported to be very good.”

However, Pattinson added that “the fall in the number of sheep shorn across the country will still outweigh the improvement in average fleece weights.”

According to the forecast, average fleece weights across Australia are expected to increase by 2.9 per cent due to better than expected fleece weights in some parts of NSW, Victoria and South Australia, but it will not be enough to offset fully the estimated decline of 4.7 per cent in the number of sheep shorn.

Region-wise, very poor seasonal conditions in Queensland are expected to see production in that state fall to 7.4 million kg, the lowest on record.

Shorn wool production in northern NSW has also been affected by poor seasons, but this has been offset by the improvement in the southern half of the state. NSW’s wool production in the current season is forecast at 125.1 million kg.

The provinces of Western Australia and Victoria are expected to see a decline of 4.1 per cent year-on-year and 1.7 per cent in wool production for the season, according to the estimate.

AWPFC expects wool production in South Australia to go up by 1.9 per cent this season, even though conditions are expected to be more difficult in the second half of the season than the first half.

In Tasmania, wool production is forecast to be down slightly by 0.6 per cent.

AWPFC noted that AWTA wool test data shows a reduction in the fine end of the clip, especially wool 16.5 microns and finer, in the first five months of the season. (RKS)

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