THE wool sale was relatively slow yesterday but this week's mohair sale reached new heights.
Cape Wools SA public relations officer Lizelle Delport said the market "put up a lacklustre performance" yesterday with prices easing and the Cape Wools Merino indicator shedding 1% to close at R114.22/kg (clean).
"Traders report reluctance from some clients to buy at current price levels, while demand from other areas remains firm. Prices nevertheless remain at high levels, with the indicator up almost 12% on the opening sale," Delport said.
A total of 97% of the fairly small offering of 8879 bales was sold.
Major buyers were Lempriere (2389), Standard Wools (2290), Stucken & Co (1336), and Modiano (1107), she said.
The first Mohair SA sale of the year kicked off on a high note on Tuesday with 61254 kg on offer.
The first sale was usually a very mixed offering, but a few factors drove prices to new highs, Mohair SA said.
"The average market indicator gained 11.7% from the last winter sale to close on R132.13/kg. This is also 35% up from the opening summer sale of the 2013 season.
"There was strong competition among buying houses amid continued strong demand from abroad, with the weaker rand also assisting buyers," the company said.
Compared to the closing sale of 2013, kids were up 11%, young goats up 19.2%, fine adults up 12.6% and strong adults up 9%.
The next wool sale is on Wednesday and the next mohair sale on March 11. – Business Reporter