For Dubbo District Wool Manager Lindsay Brown, spending ten days in China as part of the AWI Future Wool Leaders Tour of China 2025 offered more than just a look behind the scenes of the world’s largest wool processing nation.
Supported by the National Foundation for Australia–China Relations and organised by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), the program brought together a group of emerging industry leaders selected for their commitment to the Australian wool sector. Over ten days, the group visited topmakers, spinners and garment manufacturers across China, including Tianyu, JHT Home Textiles, Redsun/Sunwoo, Xinao Spinning, Shanghai Challenge, and the vertically integrated Nanshan Group in Longkou.
A key highlight of the trip was attending the 36th Nanjing Wool Market Conference, which attracted more than 400 international delegates from major wool-producing countries including China, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand, the UK and the US. The experience offered a global perspective on where Australian wool sits in the international supply chain and how crucial the relationship with China remains.
“The Chinese highly rate our product for its quality. They can’t get enough Australian wool,” Lindsay said.
“The level of investment in their processing machinery and technology shows just how much confidence they have in our fibre.”
That confidence was echoed in Lindsay’s outlook for the Australian industry. After several difficult years, the recent improvement in wool prices and stronger demand has given producers renewed optimism.
“The market has found a new base level after a recent run of strong price rises. This has meant most micron categories are performing the best they have been for the last 2 to 3 years” Lindsay said.
He said seeing China’s ongoing investment in wool processing gave him reassurance that the strong trade connection between the two countries will continue to support Australian producers for years to come.
“Building relationships between Australia and China has never been more important. They’re our biggest trading partner for wool, and we’re their biggest supplier. We both have a united interest in keeping the industry moving forward,” he said.
Returning home, Lindsay said the tour left him with a clear message: the future for Australian wool remains bright, built on quality, innovation, and collaboration.
“It gives me real confidence there’s a strong future for Australian wool,” he said.