BUYERS OF WOOL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30156, 13 June 1963, Page 6

BUYERS OF WOOL

Britain Takes Most

Britain continues to buy more wool than any other country. In 1962 it consumed 448 million lb—s 6 million lb more than the United States. The third biggest consumer last year was Japan with 297 million lb, closely followed by France. According to information given to the Wool Board, figures released at the International Wool Textile Organisation’s conference in Majorca, show that world wool consumption totalled 3295 million lb (clean weight)— much the same as in the record year of 1961. Consumption was about 2500 million lb in the free world and 780 million lb in the ChineseSoviet bloc.

Countries showing marked increases in consumption over 1961 included Belgium (21 per cent.), Australia (12 per cent.), Italy (10 per cent.), and the United States (4 per cent.). Usage in Japan wjs 9 per cent, less while Britain. France, and Germany showed small declines. The six Common Market members used about 770 million lb (clean weight) of wool in 1962. Their production totals only about 9 per cent, of their needs.