Farmer members who traded their wool through Ulster Wool will receive a 70% higher wool price averaging 68p/kg (79c/kg) for the 2025 clip year.

The average increase of 28p/kg (32c/kg) compared to the 2024 wool clip leaves prices at a 10-year high.

Ulster Wool is optimistic of further upward momentum for the 2026 wool season clip. Based on the results of recent auctions and steady increases over the last few months it is forecasting a further price increase of 25p/kg to 30p/kg (29c/kg to 34.7c/kg). If this materialises it could see potential returns paid to Ulster Wool members for several core wool types rise to £1/kg (€1.16/kg).

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Getting back to 2025 returns, Cheviot and Cheviot-cross wool has increased from 57p/kg to 83p/kg (66c/kg to 96c/kg) and 51p/kg to 76p/kg (59c to 88c/kg), respectively. While many core types of Mule, Texel and Romney wool is also in the region of 70p/kg to 75p/kg (81c/kg to 87c/kg).

Scottish Blackface wool meanwhile is listed as increasing from 29p/kg to 56p/kg (34c/kg to 65c/kg) while fine and medium hill wool has increased from 42p/kg to 67p/kg (49c/kg to 77.5c/kg). Commenting on the announcement, Brendan Kelly, Ulster Wool chair, said: “This is a strong result for our members and a clear sign the market is moving in the right direction. Prices are up across all wool types because there is real competition at auction, and that only happens when farmers sell together through Ulster Wool.

“The auction is where prices are made. The more wool that comes through Ulster Wool, the stronger the returns will be for everyone. This is exactly what collective selling is designed to do, as we saw in 2021 after the Covid pandemic, working together to strengthen the market, deliver better value for wool produced in Northern Ireland, and maximise returns to our members,” he said.

Ulster Wool explains that there are about 3,000 sheep farmers working together through adding that “higher volumes not only strengthen auction competition but also reduce Ulster Wool’s operating costs per kilogram, benefiting all members”.

The payment mechanism works on the average price achieved for wool at auction minus a cost deduction to cover operating costs of running Ulster Wool including wool collections, handling, processing etc.