2014-4-25

The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC) has reduced the 2013/14 shorn wool production forecast to 340 million kilograms (mkg) greasy, down by 3.4% from the 2012/13 season total of 352 mkg.

 

Committee Chairman, Russell Pattinson commented that "the continued dry seasonal conditions, high slaughter rates and a further decrease in Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) year on year pre-sale test data (-3.3% till the end of March) were the main reasons for the downward revision in production for this season. The effects of the recent rains in many areas are greatly welcomed; however the impact on this season's production will be limited.

 

The AWPFC has also made an initial projection for the 2014/15 season, with a slight decrease in wool production (-2.9%) to 330mkg. This decrease is due to the expected reduction in 2014/15 sheep numbers as a result of the high slaughter rates in the current season.

 

The National Committee drew on advice from the six State Committees, each of which includes brokers, growers, private treaty merchants, representatives from State Departments of Agriculture, and the Australian Wool Testing Authority.

 

Data and input was also drawn from AWEX, wool exporters, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABARES, AWTA and Meat and Livestock Australia.

Source:Australian Wool Innovation Limited