The exports of wool from Latin American country of Uruguay increased to US$ 296.6 million during the year ending February 29, 2012, registering a rise of 17.8 percent year-on-year, according to the Uruguayan Wool Secretariat.
In terms of volume, however, Uruguayan wool exports declined by 24 percent year-on-year to 47 million kilos, which included raw wool, wool scoured and combed. The decrease in quantity of wool exports is attributed to a drop in Uruguayan sheep stock.
Of the total wool exported, 67.7 percent constituted combed wool, while raw wool and washed wool accounted for 16.9 percent and 15.4 percent respectively.
In February 2012, Uruguayan wool exports rose by 13.2 million year-on-year to US$ 23.3 million.
During March-February 2011-12 period, Uruguay exported wool grease and lanolin worth US$ 10.9 million, of which the share of lanolin was US$ 6.1 million, while wool grease exports accounted for US$ 4.8 million.