Renewed European interest in quality superfine wool and Chinese demand for medium merino lines with lower vegetable matter content pushed prices generally higher this week. This, combined with the strong buyer sentiment, provided perfect conditions for a rising market.

Prices lifted by a solid 10 to 20 cents from the opening hammer, then slowly but noticeably increased as the sale progressed. By the end of the sale, the price increases were generally 30 to 50 cents, pushing the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) a further 18 cents to close the week at 1506 cents.

Wools broader than 21 micron were most affected by the rising market, so much so that the micron price guide for 22 micron hit a record high. The skirting market experienced rises, but nowhere near the extent of the fleece.

Buyers continued to focus on lots exhibiting excellent length and strength results, trying to find reasonably priced wools in a continually rising market. The crossbred wool market continued its solid run, with most types and descriptions this week generally rising five to ten cents and 28 micron lines enjoying the largest gains.

Of most interest to buyers were sale lots between 19 and 22.5 micron and two to six per cent vegetable matter content.