THE WOOL TRADE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 15 (Supplement)

THE WOOL TRADE

BRITISH EXPORTS Board ot Trade figures show that exports of woollen and worsted fabrics from the United Kingdom In April were larger than a year before. The shipments for the four months ending April 30 were 42,531,000 cquare yards, an increase of 2,695,000 square yards on the improved figures recorded in the corresponding months of 1936. A reverse position has prevailed with semi-manu-factures. Exports of tops from January to April were 15,778,0001 b, a decrease of 1,602,0001 b on the 1936 total, and worsted yarns 9,273,0001 b, a reduction of 711,0001 b. Both in tops and yarns a decline in sales to Germany contributed considerably to the lower shipments. Up to that period, internal trade in the British Isles was brisk, partly on Coronation business, and offset the decreased quantities of the staple used in foreign sales. During late May and June, turnover- in Yorkshire has not been equal to earlier months in the year, but the strength of the raw material position has influenced sellers of mill products to refrain from reducing prices to any degree. That attitude, however, cannot be indefinitely maintained, and a definite regain in business will be welcomed before the new season’s wool sales commence. Recent inquiry for tops has been brighter, and greater confidence is held regarding the maintenance of prices. Average 64's tops are quoted at /37J, an unchanged figure which compares with /31 on July 1, a year ago. The Continental futures top market has also improved this week, and is /7 higher than on July 1, 1936. Sydney Season's Turnover The selling year which has just closed is the twelfth successive season in which the Sydney sales have tatalled over 1,000,000 bales. Returns issued by the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia show that, from July 1, 1936, to June 30, 1937, sales in Sydney totalled 1,246,801 bales, which realised £25,980,094. The quantity sold shows an increase of 72,066 bales, and the amount realised an increase of £5,462,960 compared with the previous year. The greasy and scoured wool sold averaged £2O/16/8 per bale, or /16.8 per lb, the average for the preceding 12 months beipg £l7/9/3 per bale, or /14.3 per lb. The figures below show the quantity of wool sold, the amount realised, and the average per lb obtained in Sydney during the past 10 seasons;—

The amount realised is the largest recorded in Sydney in Australian currency since 1927-1928.

Bales. Amount Average realised, p er lb. 1927-28 . . 1,052,285 £26,885,408 /20.1 1928-29 . . 1,142,369 £25,113,041 /16.8 1929-30 . . 1,084,489 £14,888,098 /10.7 1930-31 . . 1,040,815 £11,743,360 /8.9 1931-32 . . 1,190,537 £12.726,626 /8.5 1932-33 . . 1,272,555 £14,357,939 /8.8 1933-34 . . 1,080,556 £21,973,901 /16.3 1934-35 . . 1,214,525 £15,359,397 /10 1935-36 . . 1,174,735 £20,517,134 /14.3 1936-37 . . 1,246,801 £25,980,094 /16.8