Wool price outlook remains highWool prices are expected to remain at their high levels in the medium term, but any further price increases depend on the world economic recovery. In statements made by Rabobank an agribusiness Bank , they stated that purchases of wool products have taken a hit since the onslaught of the global financial crisis. However, the current world economic outlook from the International Monetary Fund suggests a broader improvement in economic activity in 2010, which will keep wool prices above current levels. Adam Tomlinson, Rabobank analyst states "we are expecting demand to improve with the global economy and keep wool prices above current levels in 2010, and wool prices will also be underpinned by the increasing cost of alternative fibres. Oil prices are expected to remain at higher levels in 2010 which will keep pressure on production costs for wool fibres. Wool production, however, will remain subdued following on from years of wool producers switching to alternative businesses like grain, milk or meat production. We expect that global wool production in 2010 will rise slightly as better seasonal conditions, and reduced input costs increase wool yields per sheep". Rabobank expects domestic wool prices will remain above the five-year average of $AU8/Kg clean, as quoted in the eastern market indicator. The chart above shows the Australian wool market for the past 3 years. Note that the current market is approx. 30% higher than the same time last year, and closing in on 2008 price levels and by the time we factor in the currency values, the actual market in US$ is about 50+% HIGHER than this time last year! Look to see the market this spring remain rather active/to bullish. Is Going Green for Wool?"Going green" is no longer just the ideology of left-wing hippies. Nor is it a trend. We are living in exciting times. We are confronted with the challenge of sustaining our food, our water and our environment. We are changing things. It’s big. You know a movement is afoot when Windex® imposes a "green list" to regulate what goes into their products and Reynolds Wrap® launches an aluminium foil made out of recycled, well, aluminium. The more commercial it goes, the better off we all are, and not only from an ecological and environmental standpoint. Design-wise, inspiring options are becoming available. It’s a win-win." A wool week, backed by John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, is planned for September, just before London Fashion Week, when shoppers start to plan and buy their winter wardrobe. Britain will be launching on the 26th January 2010, Wool promotion in which The Prince of Wales hopes to encourage a return to woolen carpets and rugs instead of wooden flooring, and for wool clothes that last instead of the "fast fashion" trend for cheap, synthetic, throwaway garments that are being dumped in landfill sites. This initiative will attempt to regenerate enthusiasm for wool by rebranding it as a fashionable and eco-friendly fiber.Wool is a renewable resource that can be shorn from sheep annually. So if this is the case, then we, the wool industry, should now more than ever be taking a stand. Wool meets all the needs to be "green" when processed accordingly. There seems to be a real trend towards being the "informed" consumer. Just have a look at the general trend of consumer websites all making homage to the environment as well as the types of products now readily available. Let us all remember, "We are responsible for creating what is to be for those that come after us" Spring 2010 Sale Schedule
Mike’s CornerWhat a difference a year makes! This time last year you could hardly give a pound of wool away, and now Roswell wool buyer’s are looking for wool to buy at good prices. Last year I struggled to find positive things about the wool industry, much less anything that I felt would be appreciated in my newsletter. Now, one year later, there are good things happening that directly affect the wool market such as; low supply, growing demand, machine washable wool garments, currency markets back in our favor, and according to some buyers (who should know), we are looking at some good markets for next 3 to 5 years. Who knows for sure, but I feel fairly certain that we should see wool prices remain on the positive side for a long time, if the economy will cooperate.With the wool market prices increasing, the demand for well-prepared wools is very important. I encourage you to utilize the U.S. Premium or U.S. Choice programs, take the extra steps to prepare, and do all that you can, to improve your wool clip. For those of you who signed up for these programs last year, you need to know that you MUST sign up each year. If you need the application, please contact me, and I will make sure that you receive the proper forms to fill out, so that you can get them back to me along with your wool shipment! I would like to close by just saying how much I TRULY APPRECIATE your friendships first and foremost, and your continued support by choosing to continue doing business with Roswell Wool. I can promise you that I/we will continue to operate Roswell Wool in a way that will offer you the best return on any given day for your wool. Sincerely, Mike Corn Wool Market Slips Amid Currency VolatilityU.S. wool trading in October 2008 was light with little quantity available for transaction and light demand. Mike Corn, Roswell Wool manager, commented that he felt wool demand is holding steady, but currency fluctuations have played havoc on the international market. He was confident that the recent increase in wool demand from the U.S. military could compensate for possible reduced international presence in the U.S. market next spring.Corn commented that the U.S. Certified Wool Program would likely benefit the wool industry. Producers that do not participate might have their wool discounted. He has found that wool buyers are very particular and standards are high. Australian wool prices have trended downward in 2008 through October. Between September and October, the Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) slipped 7 percent – down 16 percent from last October. In general, worldwide sluggish demand is trumping the price-lifting effect of tighter supplies. However, there are signs that the underlying climate of the wool market is strong. Despite another fall in the Australian market, analysts believe interest rate cuts in China and the United States in October helped restore some confidence across global markets and should ease credit restrictions (The Wool Record Weekly, 10/31/08). Currency fluctuations in October ‘08 likely hindered sales. However, in early November, Chinese direct-buying companies re-entered the market after a three-week hiatus. Lempriere, Fox and Lillie's Bruce Toms reported, “The weakening Australian dollar (and the stronger U.S. dollar) helped Chinese independent operators who were much more active compared to previous weeks," (ABC Rural Australia, 11/3/08). Between January and August 2008, U.S. raw-wool and top exports fell 70 percent year-to-year to 7.5 million lbs. Raw-wool exports fell 47 percent to 7.4 million lbs. Total wool-textile exports out of the mill fell 19 percent to 59.5 million lbs. Within all-wool textiles, the category with the most volume is typically wool yarn, thread and fabric. Exports in this category were down 27 percent year-to-year to 26 million lbs. (Sheep Industry News – Dec. 2008) Wool Market Sept. 05 - Dec. 08 Please note that the Australian Wool Market (top line) since 7/4/08 has dropped from $3.90/lb to $3.50/lb or 11% BUT ! When we convert to the actual price for our American Wool considering the CURRENCY exchange rates? Our actual Prices here in the U.S.A. (bottom line) have dropped from $3.75/lb to $2.30/lb or 61% In short the chart above is telling us that the wool market is NOT the real problem, it IS that the Australian currency has fallen like a rock, and our US dollar has strengthened during this same period of time!! Look to see the currency markets making some corrections in the coming months. Spring 2009 Sale ScheduleWith much discussion with my partners and customers from across the Western States, we have decided to add a sale in Feb. in order to allow you our customer more flexibility in your marketing needs.
Mike’s CornerI have been scratching my head for several days trying to figure what I am going to put in this newsletter that will put a positive spin on the current wool market and frankly that’s almost impossible to do. With the current world economy in the middle of a major recession it’s going to take some time to work through all the depressed markets around the world.The best news that I can point out is what the chart above is pointing out, that is that the actual wool market is holding up rather well through these troubled times. If we can see a correction period for the Australian currency then we can gain back much of what we have lost in the past few months. The current wool market here in the States is about 50% of what we had back in May/June of last year. In this type of market it will pay producers to go the extra mile in preparing your wool for sale as wool buyers will be much more selective in their purchases. I encourage each of you to participate in ASI’s Premium and Choice preparation programs, which will help market your wool to its best potential. The most important factor in qualifying for these programs is to use aa ASI certified shearing crew. Which means that each certified crew has agreed to practice the best shearing techniques and fleece handling/baling as well as a special emphasis on identifying and controlling poly contamination? I would like to close by just saying how much I TRULY APPRECIATE your friendship’s first and foremost, and your continued support by choosing to continue doing business with Roswell Wool. I can promise you that I/we will continue to operate Roswell Wool in a way that will offer you the best return on any given day for your wool. Sincerely, Mike Corn I hope to see everyone at the ASI Convention on the Jan 21st – 24th in San Diego, CA. The Wool market is headed up in 2007! Last spring I titled the lead article “Is the Wool Market headed up in 2006?”, and this year’s lead title says the Wool Market is headed up! Prices today are 40+% higher than they were this time last year and predictions are that this price increase will continue on into our 2007 season! 
Pending Sale Dates for Spring 2007 With much discussion with my partners and customers from across the Western States, we have decided to add 2 additional sales to our spring auction/sale schedule. We feel that the needs of you our customers must be addressed to allow you to have more options in your marketing needs.
Mike's Corner Greetings to everyone and I trust that your 2007 is off to a prosperous start and that your family members are healthy and happy! The wool season is now in full swing and the wool market is as good as it has been in several years. In some cases the current wool prices are as much as 50% higher than this time last year. There seems to be a lot of interest form all directions around the world to make some of their purchase hear in the United States this spring as the international currency markets have played in our favor. As you can see from the chart above the market has risen rather quickly the past few months and now seems be to make a small correction. Most experts seems to agree that the market is in a good position to hold these price levels through this spring as the projected volumes to be offered in Australia this spring are projected to be as much as 10% below last years levels. If you are looking for another option in your marketing needs for this spring PLEASE call me to discuss the options available to you. I have buyers calling me on a weekly basis inquiring about available wools for immediate delivery. The sale/auction system is built to achieve the best market prices available on any given day and Roswell Wool has worked very hard over the years to achieve just that. Your wool deservers to be offered to the World Wool Trade! Is the Wool Market headed up in 2006? That’s the question that we all would like to have answered! I have been running Roswell Wool for going on 13 years now and the one thing that I would do most anything for is to have the wool market get high enough that every customer would leave after one of our sales and have the BIGGEST smile on their face from the better than expected price for their wool! The following statements are quotes from some of the largest wool firms in the world, which I would like to share with you so that you can more fully understand my opinions concerning the coming spring wool season. You be the judge? 1). “The wool sales opened strong in Melbourne Australia this past week, even though some buyers from China were less active than usual, prices remained strong all week, particularly for the better types with good strength values. The greatest increases were seen in the fine wools with increases of 20 plus % for the respective micron categories. The much stronger demand for better types was also apparent in skirting types where the better wools with lower VM’s (vegetable matter) were in demand. There is increasing concern from the wool trade about poor wool clip preparation.” (1-13-2006 Australian Wool Innovation Limited) 2). “We haven’t had the opportunity to report the market in such a positive way for some time. The market was higher in good competition on the back of limited supply and some Chinese business was concluded during the Christmas recess. This could be a short term rally with little fundamental change in demand from China but the expected shortage in supply could be the catalyst for a much needed recovery in wool prices. The prices for the better wools with lower VM’s and better tensile strength remain at good premiums to the poorer types. Many buyers in search of more consistent and predictable quality are neglecting poorly prepared wools.” (1-13-06 www.gschneider.com) 3). “In recent weeks, several signals related to wool have raised optimism for the year ahead. Retail and consumer confidence figures from Italy and Germany show gains year after year, aided by recent sustained cold weather across the continuant. Italian topmakers have appeared more buoyant and active in the wool sale rooms, increasing competition with Chinese processors. China and India are becoming progressively more significant markets for textiles, as booming economies and a growing middle class continue to outpace growth from major world markets.” (1-13-06 Landmark Weekly) 4). “Much of the current market strength can be attributed to concerns of a dwindling selection of good quality top making wools in the coming months. It is believed that last year’s peak shearing season from August through November will result in an influx of low yielding, high VM wool into the selection. This means that better wools were well sought after this week in anticipation of this quality drought. Contributing to the rise in the market is the approaching Chinese New Year and the need for wool exports to cover shipments for January and pre Chinese New Year deliveries.” (1-13-06 Elders BWK International Wool Report) “Marketing Agreement with Cal-Wool” I’m sure that most of you have heard by now of our “Marketing Agreement” with Cal-Wool COOP from Stockton California. I want to clarify one thing up front; this is not a merger of any sort between the two companies. Simply put we have agreed to sell and handle all the wools that Cal-Wool sends to Roswell. Cal-Wool will be another customer (our largest) and they will receive the same services as the rest our customers. This is a bold step for Roswell Wool and Cal-Wool and it will prove to be a very important step in achieving the best market prices for our customers. By being able to offer the largest selection of wools in the U.S.A., this will attract the attention of buyers from all parts of the world, thus providing added competition and better prices. I am honored that the Board of Directors of Cal-Wool Marketing COOP &and One very special note that I would like to share with everyone is that we signed this “Agreement” on the 16th Anniversary of my father’s death (Bronson M. Corn) October 8th, 1989 and that I would like to dedicate this new beginning to the Memory of my father! Mike’s Corner I trust that everyone has survived the Holiday Season and that we have acknowledged the many Blessings that we received in 2005 to the only p person responsible for all these blessings, Jesus Christ! Recently I was told by one of my most faithful customers (whom I’ve never met face to face) to quit writing my newsletters in such a positive tone, as he wants to believe what I have said in the past newsletters! The last couple years have not been kind to anyone trying to make advice concerning the future of the wool markets. I am guilty for trying to keep my newsletters as positive as I can. After all part of my job is to try to give my customers a reason to stay in the business and that’s not easy when you had the worst drought in decades looking you face to face and the coyotes are at every corner! But you know what, the rains came and we had the best lamb prices in history just this past fall. When I read articles like the one listed at the top of this newsletter, I feel compelled to share that information with everyone! The wool market later this spring may or may not be higher, but one thing is stressed in several of those articles and others that I didn’t share with you, is that wool buyers are paying more for quality, well prepared and fully tested wools including length and strength testing! I feel strongly that this is the main reason why Roswell Wool has been so successful, is that we are committed to providing all the information possible on ALL lots of 3,500 lbs or greater! Wool buyers know that they will get a fair chance to purchase each lot that we have to offer throughout each year and that those wools should perform as expected because of the extensive testing that we have available for each lot. We at Roswell Wool will continue to strive to be in the forefront of marketing U.S.A. wools, and will always try our best to keep you our valued customer as our #1 priority in assuring you that your wool will be exposed to as many buyers as possible to assure you the best price on any given day! |