Nationally, the volume of fine wool (19.5 micron & finer) is forecast to increase slightly in the 2006/07 season to 150 mkg greasy - the sole result of the poor season in WA. This forecast increase in fine wool production remains below the record 154 mkg produced in 2004/05.
The committee also revised 2005/06 season figures slightly higher to 459 mkg greasy, up 3 mkg on the forecast made in March 2006, as a result of the latest test statistics from the Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) and the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX).
For the 2005/06 season, AWTA tested 3.2 percent less wool (by weight) while an analysis by AWEX indicated a 4.3 percent decline year-on-year. Overall, the committee set the 2005/06 production estimate 3.5 percent lower than the 2004/05 season.
A full report of the latest forecasts will be available after 2.00pm Wednesday, 12 July here on wool.com.au. The next meeting of the AWI Production Forecasting Committee is scheduled for Thursday 28 September 2006.
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
marketing@alchempro.com
