The latest British Wool Marketing Board sale held in Bradford on Tuesday recorded a marginally improved trade.

The clearance rate increased to 75% of 1.52m kg offered compared to 65.6% of 1.66m kg offered at the last sale held on 19 November.

The clearance varied depending on the type of wool on offer, with the sale report highlighting steady demand for all wool types, with the exception of Mule and Radnor wool.

The average sale price increased by 2.6p/kg to reach £1.29/kg or €1.53/kg.

This brings the average yearly index price on which payments to producers is based to £1.295/kg.

It should be noted that there is a handling charge in the region of 40p/kg to 45p/kg (47c/kg to 53c/kg) but even with this it leaves the price at an average of 85p/kg to 90p/kg (€1.10/kg to €1.07/kg).

The wool trade in Ireland remains depressed, with lowland wool selling on average for 50c/kg.

The trade for hill and Scotch wool is even more downbeat, with white Scotch wool averaging in the region of 30c/kg to 35c/kg while black / grey Scotch hill wool is trading for as low as 20c/kg.