Sales resumed last week after a three-week recess, following the new season's initial sale in July.

As a result, the EMI starts Thursday's sales this week on 873c/kg, after gaining a spirited 3.2pc since last week's close.

Region by region, the gains on Wednesday were:

• 29c/kg in the north, where the indicator now stands at 911c/kg.

• 23c/kg in the south, where the indicator sits at 841c/kg.

• 25c/kg in the west ,where the indicator is 849c/kg.

AWEX figures show that strong price rises were realised across all microns as the weakening Australian dollar gave foreign buyers greater purchasing power.

There are 44,500 bales rostered for sale across the three main centres this week.

Growers selling wool will be thanking the volatile nature of the exchange markets for the unexpected lift.