Major Chinese wool buyers will attend for the first time in Australia at the Ballarat district property of leading Chinese importer and processor Tianuy wool. The conference’s theme is ‘From Farm to Fashion’ and it is a major step in building a wool bridge between Australia and China.

The Chinese buyers, who have been estimated to purchase $2 bn of Australian wool each year, are among 130 delegates attending the internal wool conference.

It is the first time the China Wool Industrial Association will be meeting outside China since it was formed more than 20 years ago.

Conference organizers said that the delegates representing China’s 80 major wool processors will highlight their increasing demand for Australian fine Merino wool and the ability of Australian growers to supply.

Victoria’s Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford will attend the conference and is expected to discuss the potential of the Victorian wool industry with buyers before the conference begins.

The 30th annual Wool Salon of the China Wool Industrial Association will be hosted by Tianyu Wool president Mr. Qingnan Wen at his 2000 hectare property Lal Lal Estate, 20 km south east of Ballarat.