Safil, Italy’s biggest worsted yarn plant for wool and wool blend yarns that produces 300 tonnes of mohair yarn each year, but 80 percent of the fibre comes from South Africa's Angora goat industry has shown its interest in buying more Australian mohair.

Company manager Cesare Savio said that if Australian growers can produce finer mohair, they will consider switching suppliers for its premium yarns.

At present, they buy about 5,000 tonnes of wool from Australia for their products, they will also buy mohair from Australia.

Safil has supported breeding trials in Australia to increase the quality and length of the mohair from Angora goats.

Twenty-six growers across the country have been qualified to take part in the trials, which have so far produced 25-micron fleece.

The industry's goal is to create 2,000-kilogram lots for combing and marketed under its new brand, Pure Australian Mohair, which it launched over the weekend.

Cesare Savio said that the company will invest in this project, and that it will be part of it for the future, will be an amazing contribution.

Ivan Smith, a buyer for Safil based in South Africa, said that a 10 percent premium above the current top price being offered in Australia is not

unrealistic.

Looking at price increases, not just for this weaving project, they were paying $20 (a kilogram) three years ago. They have paid up to $30, which then went up to $42 on the last auction. The best price paid was $47 and they are prepared to pay up to $58.

Safil is a worsted spinning company founded in 1954 by Fernando Savio, today managed by his sons Alberto and Cesare in Biella (Italy). Belonging to the same group, Bulsafil in Plovdiv (Bulgaria) produces annually 7,000 tons of worsted yarn where 630 qualified employees work in a plant of approximately 45,000 square meters.