British Wool’s third sale of the 2026 season’s wool clip took place on 1 September and witnessed a much more positive trading environment.

Prices stabilised following a reduction in the previous two sales, with the clearance rate also jumping from 52.5% in the first sale to 76.4% in the second and 96.9% in the latest sale.

The average price recorded for greasy wool was £1.693 (€1.96/kg), similar to the price in the previous sale. This follows a reduction in the first sale held in July of 4p/kg in the average greasy price and 18p/kg in the average price paid for clean wool.

In the previous British Wool sale reports, the dip in the trade was attributed to the absence of Chinese buyers in the first auction of the 2026 season wool clip and reduced demand from UK scouring plants due to refurbishment works taking place.

Firmer demand

Firmer demand in the latest sale witnessed much livelier bidding and a clearance rate of 97% of the 994t offered for sale.

It reported that “the only lots that were unsold included some grey and specialty lots, all main fleece grades sold and had good competition”.

It added that British Wool’s intake for the 2026 clip year is currently running slightly ahead of this point in the 2025 season.

Sales will now be held more regularly as we enter the main season trading, with the next sale due to take place on 15 September.

Irish wool price

There is no change in the Irish wool price. Most merchants continue to offer an opening price of 80c/kg for lowland wool delivered to a sales or collection yard.

There are deals being completed at 90c/kg upwards for larger volumes of high-quality wool that has been sorted and packed in good condition.

There is more competition evident in the market in the midlands, east and northern half of the country compared with prices on offer in the south in counties such as Cork and Kerry.

At the other end of the price scale, wool described as grey or black Scotch wool is trading at 20c/kg to 25c/kg in the main, with some better-quality white hill wool rising to 35c/kg to 45c/kg.