WORLD’S WOOL PRODUCTION

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27690, 21 June 1955, Page 15

WORLD’S WOOL PRODUCTION

INCREASE FORECAST BY U.S. OFFICIALS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, June 19. The United States Department of Agriculture today forecast an increased world production of wool this year. It estimated world wool production in 1955 at 4.475,000,0001 b, greasy basis, and said such output would compare with a revised estimate of 4.390,000,0001 b produced in 1954. The department forecast increases for Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, the Soviet Union, and some of the Middle East countries, but saw no significant change in output for Argentina and Uruguay. It estimated that the 1955 output on a clean basis would be about 2,585,000,001 b. an increase of 2 per cent, over the 1954 output of about 2,535,000,0001 b. During the first quarter of 1955, consumption m the principal wool-consuming countries increased by an estimated 2 per abov « the comparable period of 1954, the department said. World conWi n 9 P OT? n 0001 f b Or 1954 W3S estimated

The Soviet Union’s output would be greater in 1955, partly because of gains in fleece weights over 1954, and some increase in sheep numbers, the report said. Because of the decline in Argentina’s output, the Soviet Union was now the third largest producer of wool. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa showed marked increases in output during 1954. These increases which were expected to continue in 1955, were mimbers dUe tO the increases ln sheep