AWI lowers wool production estimate for 2012-13 (Australia)

The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has downwardly revised its wool production estimates for 2012-13 to 345 million kg, from the earlier 350 million kg.

 

According to the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC), wool production is likely to increase in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. 

 

The AWPFC, however, foresees a fall in wool production in all other states, especially Victoria.

 

The lowering of wool production estimate by the AWPFC is based on the downward revision of sheep numbers by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

 

The flock numbers are likely to rise in 2012-13, but the total wool output would increase only by one percent owing to decreased average greasy fleece weights across Australia, the AWPFC said.

 

Sheep growers are keen to maintain or increase their flock size, but the process continues to be slow, it added.

 

In 2011-12, Australia produced only 342 million kg of wool, around one percent less than AWI’s earlier forecast of 345 million kg.