Australian wool market ends season lower after final-week correction

The Australian wool market closed the 2025-26 season on a softer note, with the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) falling 46 Australian cents to 1,943 ac/kg in the final trading week. In US dollar terms, the EMI declined 63 US cents to 1,342 usc/kg. The Western Market Indicator (WMI) also weakened, dropping 41 Australian cents to 2,129 ac/kg and 63 US cents to 1,470 usc/kg according to the Australian Wool Innovation’s (AWI) Commentary for Week 52 – June 2026.Fine and medium Merino wool prices came under significant pressure during the week. Fine Merino types (16.5-19 micron) fell by 70-75 cents across selling centres, while medium Merinos (19.5-21 micron) declined by 65-70 cents. In contrast, crossbred wool (25-32 micron) continued to attract buyer interest, gaining 15-20 cents, while Merino cardings eased by 10-15 cents.

The Australian wool market weakened in the final week of the 2025-26 season, with the Eastern Market Indicator falling 46 Australian cents to 1,943 ac/kg amid sharp declines in Merino wool prices.
Despite the correction, the EMI finished the season 61 per cent higher YoY, while the total value of auction wool sales increased by $675 million.

Buyers became more cautious after several weeks of strong price gains, leading to increased price sensitivity. Sellers were reluctant to accept lower bids, resulting in the national clearance rate easing to 83.4 per cent. Market observers said the softer result reflected a reassessment of value rather than a broad weakening in demand.

Despite the final-week decline, the wool market recorded a strong performance over the full 2025-26 season. The EMI finished the season 736 Australian cents, or 61 per cent, higher than a year earlier. In US dollar terms, the indicator gained 557 US cents, representing a 71 per cent increase.

Although auction offerings were 3.4 per cent lower than in the previous season, the total value of wool sold through the auction system increased by $675 million, highlighting robust market conditions throughout the year.

The 2026-27 season will begin with 33,489 bales scheduled for sale, with Fremantle selling on Wednesday and Sydney and Melbourne conducting sales across Wednesday and Thursday.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)