Ulster Wool Group has confirmed to Agriland that new wool shearing season fleeces are starting to arrive at its Muckamore depot in Co. Antrim.
According to the group, the continuing dry weather is encouraging flock owners to have their sheep clipped that little bit earlier this year. And this process is continuing apace.
The deliveries to Muckamore coincide with a welcome uplift in wool prices.
Ulster Wool Group chairperson, Brendan Kelly, said: “Payments to co-op members are up 70% year-on-year. And, obviously, this is a very positive news story.
“Payments for 2024 wool deliveries are being made to sheep producers directly following receipt of their 2025 clips.
“But, as a matter of principle, all payments for wool delivered last year will be made by the end of June.”
Wool deliveries
However, given the recent reductions in sheep numbers across Northern Ireland, Kelly is expecting deliveries to fall by around 10% this year.
“This will increase our costs accordingly,” he added.
Wool returns received by Ulster Wool’s members are at the highest level since 2018. This has been driven by strong demand from buyers over the course of the last year
According to Kelly: “With an average auction price of £1.00/kg, Ulster Wool’s sale price is 18p/kg higher than last year. Coupled with strong cost control, this price increase has flowed through to improved member returns.”
According to the group’s representative, there was a significant increase in demand for cross bred wool through the autumn and winter, with prices in both the UK and New Zealand showing a strong recovery.
“Demand through the middle of the selling season was exceptional with many auctions having a nearly full clearance.”
The strong market led to Ulster Wool having sold 83% of its supplies by mid-April. The remainder is scheduled to be auctioned in May and June before new season produce is ready for auction in July.
“As wool prices improve, better returns should hopefully encourage more Northern Ireland farmers to send in their wool,” Kelly said.
“Ulster Wool, along with partners British Wool, is the only organisations in the world that collects, grades, sells, and promotes fleece wool.
“We are committed to collecting wool from all sheep farmers, regardless of the quantity, quality, type, or location.
“Demand for wool is improving and to maximise returns, Ulster Wool urges its members to send in their fleeces in 2025,” Kelly said.
