Wool prices have strengthened by 15-20c/kg on the back of stronger demand from China and a weakening euro.

Merchants are now actively paying farmers €1.45/kg for good quality lowland fine white wool. It is difficult to predict if the wool trade has peaked but the market looks positive as Chinese demand drives the trade.

Merchants report that due to poor weather in May, wool supplies have been slow coming into their yards, but they expect to see a turnaround in the next two weeks with the fine weather. They are advising farmers to remove any faeces from their wool and only shear when the wool is dry.

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There was a full 100% clearance of wool at the final British wool sale of the 2014/15 season held by the British Wool Marketing Board at Wool House. There was 1.2m kg offered for sale. This leaves virtually no stock carryover for the new season, starting on 7 July. The average price paid in the last sale on 9 June was £1.47/kg. (€2.05/kg).