Japan Now Australia’s Biggest Wool Customer

Press, Volume C, Issue 29608, 2 September 1961, Page 14

Japan Now Australia’s Biggest Wool Customer

(NZJ>.A.-Reuter— Copyright)

CANBERRA, August 31. Japan is now buying four times the quantity of Australian wool that the United Kingdom is taking. Italy is also closely pressing the United Kingdom as Australia’s second best wool customer. Commonwealth Statistics Bureau figures released today show that Japan s wool purchases last month rose to 42,114,0001 b, worth £11,413.000, compared with 31.625,0001 b worth £8.669,000 in July, 1960. United Kingdom wool purchases in Australia dropped from 13,647,0001 b, worth £3.099,000 in July last year, to 11,661.0001 b, worth £2.715,000, last July. Italy bought more heavily last July, when purchases

were 10.327,0001 b (worth £2.269,000) as against 8,112,0001 b (worth £1,748,000) in July, 1960. During the same period, the interest displayed by the Soviet and satellite countries declined. Russia's wool purchases last month were nil. as against, £52,000 worth in July last year. Czechoslovak purchases declined from 4,386,0001 b (worth £1,121,000) to 1357.0001 b (worth £406.000). Poland’s purchases dropped from 215,0001 b (worth £42.000) to 112,0001 b (worth £19,000) last month. Purchases generally improved slightly from 93,488,0001 b, worth £22.412,000, for July last year, to 100.749.00tJ1b, worth £24,396,000 last month.