Business & Rural
26 January, 2026
WOOL REPORT: Back at it after Christmas break
Many industry observers were predicting a dearer market, based on overseas sales made during the break, however the strength in the market surprised many.
THE Australian wool market has resumed after the annual three-week Christmas recess in stunning fashion, recording sharp rises across the merino fleece sector of the market and solid gains in the others.
Many industry observers were predicting a dearer market, based on overseas sales made during the break, however the strength in the market surprised many.
The Eastern markets opened proceedings and from the start bidding was extremely spirited, with a large spread of buyers fighting hard for market share.
By the end of the first day, the Micron Price Guides (MPG) in the Eastern centres had risen by between 47 and 119 cents.
With all sectors in the market recording gains, the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) rose by 69 cents.
This was the best opening day start to a calendar year since 2020. The Western MPGs rose by between 99 and 118 cents, with a noticeable strengthening late in the day.
The Western Indicator rose by an impressive 99 cents. On the second day the Eastern centres took the lead shown late on day two in the West. Main buyer focus was on the higher yielding wool, particularly lots possessing favourable additional measurement results andthese lots recorded the largest improvements.
However, all types and descriptions recorded gains as buyers fought hard to accumulate quantity in the rapidly rising market.
The MPGs added another 23 to 58 cents. The EMI rose by a further 38 cents for the day, resulting in a 107-cent increase for the week, or 6.9%.
Only seven weeks have recorded a larger increase since 1988. This was the best weekly start to a calendar year since 2011.
The EMI is now 460 cents higher than the corresponding sale of the previous season, an increase of 38.7%.
The EMI is now at its highest point since January 2020, when it reached 1,643 cents.
Glendon Hancock
0429 829 613
Glendon.Hancock@elders.com.au
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