At the 77th annual National Wool Growers' Association congress in Port Elizabeth, South African wool producers were acclaimed for high standards.
Only downside for them was their obsolete packaging methods.
It was opined by traders that a large majority of the country's wool was well groomed and of superior quality.
They felt the marketing of woollen textiles could increase demand for wool and eventually lead to an increase in earnings for wool producers.
However, a recommendation was made to practice international norms using nylon packaging, instead of polyester.
It was also suggested that South African companies invest more in efficient packaging machinery so that the market can take on competition from abroad.
Another major problem of wool contamination was also raised. Henrik Kuffner, Director-General of the International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO), stated that they were undertaking a project to test the degree to which wool marketing could have a measurable positive influence on wool volumes.
The Congress requested Cape Wools SA and the department of trade and industry to promote wool in the country. The Eastern Cape was the largest producer at 90,000 bales whereas South African industry produced 303,000 bales, last year.
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