The latest on the Australian wool market Season 2025/2026 Week 31, direct from the Elders wool team.
The Australian wool market has been unable to maintain its sharp upward trajectory, instead retracting this week, heavily influenced by currency.
There was a total of 43,582 bales available to the trade. Of this quantity 40,932 bales were sold, meaning despite the weaker market, there was just 6% passed in, showing that most sellers were willing to accept the prices on offer. Buyers were predicting a softer market, based purely on the strengthening of the Australian dollar (AUD) compared to the US dollar (USD). On Wednesday the AUD pushed past 70 US cents briefly, this was the highest the AUD had been since February 2023.
On the opening selling day, in the merino fleece sector the Micron Price Guides (MPGs) fell by between 7 and 74 cents. The skirtings followed a similar path to the fleece, while the oddments defied the trend recording modest gains.
The benchmark Eastern market indicator (EMI) dropped by 27 cents. This was the largest daily fall of the EMI since the 14th of October last year. The currency movement was so influential, that when viewed in USD terms the market had a healthy rise, the EMI gained 25 US cents for the day, pushing the USD EMI up to 1,162 cents. This was the highest the EMI has been In USD terms since the 11th of July 2019.
Although there was further strengthening of the AUD before the second day (the AUD broke through the 70 cent barrier again), day two the market generally settled. The EMI gained 3 cents for the day, closing the week 24 cents lower. In USD terms the market recorded further gains, adding another 15 US cents, closing the week 40 US cents higher, a weekly increase of 3.5%.
Next week the offering is expected to fall marginally, there is currently 40,480 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
Table showing wool prices to 30 January 2026
Graph showing Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) to 30 January 2026
For full details of auction sales, download the reports below.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is given for the purpose of providing general information only, and while Elders has exercised reasonable care, skill and diligence in its preparation, many factors (including environmental and seasonal) can impact its accuracy and currency. Accordingly, the information should not be relied upon under any circumstances and Elders assumes no liability for any loss consequently suffered. If you would like to speak to someone for tailored advice relating to any of the matters referred to in this article, please contact Elders.