The sale, in which about 8300 bales were offered with 81.6% sold, marked the last of the season. It had possibly been the most dramatic selling season in nearly 60 years, with prices doubling what they were 12 months ago, Wool Partners International head auctioneer Dave Burridge said.
"This season also saw the most serious push for wool industry reform that, while it failed to be realised, it has at least set precedents for possible future direction," he said.
Limited seasonal volumes had combined with continued strong market interest, particularly from China and India, to drive the recent rise in prices, New Zealand Wool Services International general manager John Dawson said.
Mid-micron wools rose 1.5%, with the coarser-end mid-microns recovering ground on the previous week's market.
Fine crossbred fleece and shears generally lifted up to 1.5%, and longer coarse shears were between 1% and 3% stronger, with the shorter North Island types also rising by up to 2%.
The same types in the South Island eased by 3%, bringing price levels in the two islands into much closer alignment. First lambs wools were generally firm, as were the bulk of the coarse oddments.
• A range of prices. -
Glenayr Farm (Lawrence), 35 bales of crossbred AA, 35.7 micron, 79.9% yield, 562c/kg greasy, 703c/kg clean; R. Ruxton (Outram), 60 bales crossbred AA, 36.6 micron, 82.1% yield, 578 greasy, 704 clean; R.B. and A.C. Fox (Oamaru), 14 bales crossbred hogget AA, 31.7 micron, 79.4% yield, 569 greasy, 717 clean; Rocklands Station (Balclutha), 60 bales crossbred AA, 36.2 micron, 80.8% yield, 570 greasy, 705 clean; Horsehoof Station Ltd (Outram), 52 bales crossbred AA, 35.5 micron, 77.8% yield, 547 greasy, 703 clean; Cross Bros (Balclutha), 35 bales crossbred second-shear AA, 36.8 micron, 80.4% yield, 554 greasy, 689 clean; Hummock Run Ltd (Waikouaiti), 31 bales crossbred AA, 36 micron, 82.5% yield, 586 greasy, 710 clean; R.D. and J.A. Jones (Outram), 48 bales Romney AA, 36 micron, 77.2% yield, 542 greasy, 702 clean; R. Ruxton, 51 bales crossbred AA, 35.6 micron, 81% yield, 574 greasy, 709 clean; C. and N.R. Neehoff (Outram), 53 bales crossbred AA, 35.7 micron, 80.5% yield, 570 greasy, 708 clean.
