Namibian karakul wool market regains demand

25 Jan '12

2 min read

The demand for while and black karakul wool in Namibia is back after more than a year of inactivity.

Karakul sheep are a multi-purpose breed and are raised in large numbers in Namibia. Karakul wool is relatively coarse fibre used for making outer garments, carpets and felting.

AGRA Cooperative Ltd., an agricultural co-operative and one of the main forces in the farming and agricultural sectors in Namibia, had announced last year that the South African Stucken Group, its main buyer of karakul wool, has stopped new purchase from September 2010 as the company had enough wool inventory.

However, the demand has slowly picked up as the South African firm has again started procuring wool. AGRA made a sale to Stucken in November last year and another sale is likely early next February.

AGRA's branch in Keetmanshoop, the biggest town in southern Namibia and the administrative capital of the Karas region, is telling the farmers that it would communicate to them when to bring wool.

However, farmers are still bringing in wool and hence sometimes AGRA has no choice but to buy and store the wool until it gets a buyer.

To avoid such situation and to get income for farmers, AGRA is currently on the lookout for a permanent buyer.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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