Wool price rise likely‏

Sheep producers should see an upturn in the value of their wool next year, according to the British Wool Marketing Board's chairman Frank Langrish.

Speaking at a packed meeting organised by Central Wool Growers at Stamford, Lincolnshire, Mr Langrish said the improved demand for British wool at this season's sales would mean a higher balance payment made to producers next year.

"If present sale trends continue, it should take prices to well over an average of 40+ p/kg, and possibly up to over 50 p/kg for certain white wools," commented Mr Langrish who farms in East Sussex.

Answering a question about the higher price being paid for British wool by Irish buyers collecting direct from producers, Mr Langrish said farmers who took this marketing option may be selling themselves short compared with the likely price increases on offer through the BWMB.

"The Wool Board is continuing to look at reducing its overhead costs to ensure producers get as much as they can for their wool but the Irish buyers will always act as cherry pickers in the wool market.

"They spend nothing on promotion, shearing training or wool marketing. In fact they live off the backs of every UK sheep producer. If they need British wool why not buy it through the auction system and thereby increase the value of wool to all sheep farmers.

"Although the wool board continues to look at ways of cutting costs wherever possible, producers must realise that the BWMB is there for all producers and not just a few, as in the case of the Irish buyers," said Mr Langrish.

He also told the meeting that the wool market had suffered the back-lash of the industry's severe problems this autumn.

"It's extremely unfortunate that high quality British wool that should have been destined for export , and earned premium prices, ended up being devalued in the wake of disruptions to the export trade."