AWI reported that China's raw wool (greasy, scoured and carbonised wool) and top imports increased strongly year-on-year in clean equivalent terms in 2005 thanks to a surge in imports during the final month of the year.
Imports in December recorded the third consecutive month-on-month rise, and reached the highest monthly total since December 2002.
Of all source countries, Australia remained the largest supplier for the month.
Imports from the second and third largest suppliers, New Zealand and Uruguay, increased considerably during the month, as did imports from Mongolia.
Ninety percent of total imports (raw wool and tops) comprised raw wool - 10 percentage points higher than three short years ago.
Australian Wool Innovation Ltd
marketing@alchempro.com
