China sourcing NZ merino direct

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.

 

Add a Comment