Interior textile products made from crossbred wool require urgent innovation and promotion to avoid further market loss to synthetic fibres, PGG Wrightson Wool says.
The comments followed the last wool sale of the season in Christchurch, which had a ''very disappointing end''. Lamb's wool was most affected.
Increases in New Zealand currency made for further difficult trading conditions on the buyer's market, PGG Wrightson Wool's South Island sales team said.
An excellent offering of mid-micron wool received very solid support, finishing at levels well above the equivalent Australian market.
Crossbred fleece (31 to 34 micron), including hogget wool, was 1%-3% cheaper on a limited offering, and 35 micron and stronger 2%-5%.
Crossbred second-shear was 3%-5% cheaper with longer ones most affected, and lamb's wool was down 7%-12%.
Crossbred oddments were 5% to 8% cheaper and high vegetable matter lots received only nominal bids.
The next sale is on July 13.
A range of prices:
Glenayr Ltd (Ranfurly), 11 bales crossbred hogget AA, 33.7 micron, 74.2% yield, 277 greasy, 373 clean; Fernvale Genetics Ltd (Tapanui), 24 bales crossbred hogget AA, 32.1 micron, 74.1% yield, 370 greasy, 499 clean; Poly Creek Run Ltd (Waikouaiti), 10 bales crossbred second-shear AA, 38.8 micron, 86.1% yield, 270 greasy, 314 clean; Rocklands Station (Outram), 50 bales Romney AA, 38.2 micron, 80.6% yield, 286 greasy, 355 clean; Hummock Run Ltd (Waikouaiti), 27 bales crossbred AA, 37.1 micron, 83.4% yield, 284 greasy, 341 clean.