Elders Primary wool is facilitating direct supply contracts
of fine wool with one of China's largest makers.
The company, along with exporter J. S. Brooksbank, recently
hosted a senior manager of the Tianyu Wool Industry company
from China, Tony Wen, who met Central Otago and Mackenzie
Basin merino farmers.
Elders Primary national wool manager Cedric Bayly said Tianyu
used about 25,000 tonnes of merino wool a year and it wanted
to establish direct supply contracts with New Zealand
growers.
He was enthusiastic about prospects.
"China is the largest woollen top producer in the world. To
have their top makers banging on our door looking to meet our
growers and discuss buying their wool is fantastic."
Normally, the Chinese company bought its wool from Australia,
but drought and declining volumes prompted it to take up an
offer from J. S. Brooksbank to visit New Zealand.
Mr Bayly said company representatives were impressed with the
quality of the New Zealand clip.
The deal followed a formula increasingly being looked at by
the primary sector to lift returns, of linking and branding
the attributes of New Zealand's image and reputation with end
users.
This deal married J. S. Brooks-bank's global contacts and
exporting knowledge with Elders' contacts with growers.
"By leveraging from J. S. Brooks-bank's global contacts and
exporting efficiencies, Elders Primary Wool is able to
transparently match demand with supply.
We're able to open up dialogue between growers and
exporters," he said.
J. S. Brooksbank manager Andrew Campbell said the company
visited China recently and Mr Wen's visit was a result.
"Mr Wen saw opportunities to market New Zealand merino wool
through to branded products."
Interest in securing supply contracts for New Zealand wool
extended beyond China, said Mr Campbell, who has been working
with European mills, and has secured contracts for the supply
of both merino and halfbred wool to Germany.
Mr Bayly said J. S. Brooksbank sourced all types of wool for
its clients and other opportunities could result.
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