Elders has recently advised a planned transition of its Western Australian wool handling and selling operations to its state of the art facility in Melbourne, in response to a significant and sustained decline in wool production volumes in Western Australia.
From July 2027, all WA wool handled by Elders will be received, processed and sold through Elders’ Melbourne operations. We answer your questions about the transition below.
Why has Elders made this decision?
Western Australian (WA) wool production has declined by nearly 40 per cent in recent years, raising concerns about the long‑term viability of the WA wool market. Moving to the Melbourne handling and selling system provides a sustainable, long‑term solution that ensures WA growers continue to benefit from strong buyer competition, improved market depth, and faster speed to market.
When will you commence selling WA wool in Melbourne?
WA wool is already being sold to buyers in the eastern states, and our clients can now choose to have their wool handled and sold through Melbourne.
From July 2027, all our WA wool will be handled and sold exclusively through our Melbourne operations.
Will selling wool in Melbourne cost more?
No, selling costs will remain the same for our clients. The freight costs to transport wool will be covered by us and the buyers.
Will it take longer to get my wool into a sale if it is sold in Melbourne?
No. In many cases, your wool may reach the market faster as the processing time at Melbourne is less, due to 24-hour processing capacity.
How do Melbourne wool sales compare to Fremantle sales?
Melbourne provides a significantly stronger selling environment for wool than Fremantle. On any given sale day, there are around 27 active buyers in Melbourne, compared with around 10 in Fremantle, giving sellers access to far greater competition and demand.
Additional advantages of selling in Melbourne include:
- Most major wool-buying companies have their Australian headquarters in Melbourne, enabling faster decision‑making and stronger buyer presence.
- Melbourne hosts the largest weekly wool auction in the world, attracting the highest concentration of buyers.
- More than half of all wool sold in Australia each week is traded through the Melbourne auction, making it the dominant national selling centre.
- More weekly sales are held in Melbourne than in Freemantle
- The weekly Melbourne sale is live streamed and can be viewed from anywhere in Australia.
How will my clip be presented on the show floor in Melbourne?
A designated section for Western Australian wool will be established within our world class Ravenhall show floor. This ensures your wool is clearly showcased and easily identified by buyers.
Our District Wool Managers will work closely with you throughout the process to make sure you feel fully informed and confident in how your wool is prepared, presented, and marketed.
Our WA District Wool Managers are working in consultation with growers on this change. If you have concerns or queries, please contact your local DWM, or Andrew Peters, State Wool Manager, on 0438 847 871.