Tasmanian wool producers face decline in fine wool premiums

Tasmania has been home to the best-quality wool in the world. Merino sheep have been bred in Tasmania for over 180 years. It is also the sheep’s living conditions which are responsible for the top-quality wool. Tasmania provides the greatest possible diversity. But fine wool producers in Tasmania have been seeing a steady decline in premiums falling by 96 percent since 2001.

Surplus building on the market after years of a push to ‘get fine or get out’ have been the main reason of the declining returns for fine wool.
Returning to Tasmania after working as a wool export trader on the mainland, Rob Calvert says that the international market is pushing for a shift away from fine wool.

Medium wool is selling very well in comparison to fine wool. In the last 15 to 20 years there was a catch cry to ‘go fine or get out’.

The result of that is there has been a glut of fine wool, coupled with global fashions changing … led to less demand for fine wool when there is the greatest supply ever had.

Rabobank has looked at the decline in fine wool premiums as a ‘perfect storm’ of external factors leading to the loss of value in the industry.

The recent report suggests that the centralisation of wool processing in China, global insecurity as a result of the global financial crisis and a shrinking market for fine wool created an automatic decline in demand during the ‘go fine’ expansion.

Recent Posts

Uncaged Innovations partners to launch leather alternative

Biomaterial company, Uncaged Innovations, has collaborated with ten independent fashion brands to launch Elevate, a new eco-friendly luxury leather alternative.

23 hours ago

Rudolf enhances digital pigment printing

Rudolf introduced the Digital Pigment Printing Toolbox, a package of pre-treatment products to improve the quality and sustainability of pigment…

23 hours ago

Aquafil Group unveils sustainable yarns

Aquafil Group, the innovator behind ECONYL regenerated nylon, has launched the ECONYL Bespoke Collection that mimic the aesthetics of natural…

24 hours ago

GTT and Golden Long John pioneer sustainable textile processes

Green Theme Technologies (GTT), has partnered with Golden Long John to advance environmentally conscious fabric dyeing and finishing processes.

2 days ago

KOLAB Collection launches NFC-tagged clothing line

KOLAB Collection, a leader in sustainable fashion, has revolutionized the industry by launching NFC-tagged clothing line as part of its…

2 days ago

Advance Denim, Lenzing, and Asahi Kasei launch sustainable stretch denim

Advance Denim, Lenzing’s, and Asahi Kasei have teamed up to launch the LoopTy Collection, a series that combines functionality, style,…

2 days ago