History of the Australian wool industry

Barry White CEO, International Fibre Centre

Australian Wool Production,Trade Clearances and Stocks

Production

WI StocksPrivate Stocks

Trade Clearances *

* trade clearances = production + change in stocks

0100200300400500600700800

1985

1987

1989 19

9119

9319

95 1997

1999

f20

01f

2003

f20

05f

mkg

cle

an

f = production forecast & trade clearance estimate

End of RPS

Australia’s share of world wool production

Australia 50% 50%

Apparel wool

Australia 32%

68%

All wool

Micron profile

Textile decision making cycle

The Australian wool industry

Dump and pack

into container DUMPER BUYER

Delivery to

wool store

BROKER

Shearing and

wool preparation

WOOL GROWER Testing

AWTA

Preparation for sale BROKER

Payment to grower GROWER

Ship to overseas

mill BUYER

Sale by Auction BROKER BUYER AWEX

Promotion of

wool worldwide

Delivery to local processors

The Wool Business Cycle