The Newcastle wool sale opened strongly on Wednesday last week, all micron categories from 19 and finer selling dearer.

The Eastern Market Indicator rose 12c/kg to 884c/kg, the Northern Market Indicator gained 13c/kg to rest at 910c/kg, and the Southern Market Indicator lifted 9c/kg to 861c/kg.

Last season’s 17-micron wool peak of 1281c/kg, in June, was last week eclipsed by more than 100c/kg.

Elders Premier Wool manager, Craig Brennan, Newcastle, said it was the strongest since 2002.

He said they received 12,000 bales across the two days, when normally they would have sold for three days and attracted 15,000 to 16,000 bales.

Mr Brennan said an improved European market and lack of overseas supply were contributing factors in the fine wool price jump.

This, along with delays to shearings in the State’s north, were the reasons for the price hike, he said.

“Shearing in the New England areas is about one to two months behind schedule, because of the rain we have received.”

He tipped the market to remain strong for coming sales, because it would take time for the wool to be shorn and hit the market.

It was the 17-micron wools and finer which gained the most ground on sale day, he said.

Landmark Goulburn wool agent, Craig Lawson, said there had been a lot of mid-break wool on the market in Goulburn this season.

He said fine wool producers who were still shearing, or would shear in the next three weeks, would find tip breaks in the wool.

Mr Lawson felt prices in his region were good, but could be better – the market needed to be closer to 1000c/kg for fine wool for it to be viable.

Landmark Armidale wool merchant, Angus Carter, said a lot of super-fine wethers had been sold in the New England during the past six to eight months, which had resulted in a shortage of numbers.

Prices were “handy” at the moment, but he would like to see the market continue to rise – and it would, he said.

Mr Carter said most producers – wary of the market collapsing, which had happened before – were taking advantage of the present prices and selling quickly.

The Northern Indicator softened 4c/kg to 906c/kg in early sales this week – still considerably higher than at the same time last year.