Buyers for China were dominant, including in Newcastle, as has been the case all year. They were followed by buyers for India, with a presence of buyers for Italy in Newcastle. Sales will be held in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle next week, when 49,313 bales are currently rostered for sale. Present estimates for the following two sales (Weeks 20 and 21) are 45,390 and 47,500 bales, respectively; an increase of 18.2% over the three sale period when compared with last year. The New Zealand Merino Company is rostered to offer 3,000 bales in Week 21.
In South African sales, where 8,055 bales were on offer,the Cape Wools Indicator was up by 0.4% since last week against a 4.6% depreciation of the Rand against the US Dollar and a 3.6% depreciation against the Euro.