The EMI closed up by 26c/kg, to 839c/kg.

The $A reached US87.48c on Thursday, the last day of auctions, hitting its highest level for the $A against the $US in more than 12 months.

So the EMI, when expressed in $US terms rose even more strongly, up by 5pc, making our wool that much more expensive for major buyers such as China.

In the past two weeks, the EMI has risen by 7.7pc when expressed in $US.

AWEX says price gains this week were widespread across the microns, with most types 20-30c/kg higher.

Reversing the falls for finer wool prices in recent weeks, these types rose by 40-50c/kg.

AWEX’s closing regional indicators were:

• Northern, in Sydney, up 33c/kg, to 866c/kg;

• Southern, in Melbourne, up 21c/kg, to 817c/kg; and

• Western, in Fremantle, up 28c/kg, to 822c/kg.

AWEX says just over 44,000 bales were offered nationally in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle this week, in the second biggest sale for the 2009-10 season so far, of which 5pc was passed in.