The EMI was firmer after the Melbourne sale on Tuesday, lifting four cents to 883 cents, then gained another 21 cents on Wednesday and a further 22 cents on Thursday to close the week at 926 cents.

Melbourne hosted sales on Tuesday which saw fine through to broad-micron categories gain in a range from five to 20 cents, pushing the SMI up seven cents to 865 cents.

The coarser-micron categories were quoted softer, however, rebounded on Wednesday.

The fine-to-broad wools continued to lift with most categories gaining 10 to 20 cents and the 20-micron categories lifted 27 cents.

Thursday’s sale presented more of the same good price lifts, with gains of up to 31 cents (21-micron categories). The SMI closed the week at 902 cents, an increase of 44 cents above the last quote in 2009.

Wool sales took place in Sydney over two days, with good gains recorded over both Wednesday and Thursday.

Fine through to broad wools made the highest gains, while coarse-wool prices still improved generally by between five and 15 cents on both sale days. Gains recorded by fine-to-broad wools were generally 20 to 50 cents on Wednesday, and increased by about 30 cents for each micron category the following day.

The NMI gained 27 cents and 23 cents over each day respectively and closed the week at 955 cents.

Fremantle sales also recorded good gains across all micron categories offered. Wednesday’s sale saw the WMI lift 30 cents, with gains of 14 to 37 cents across the 18.5 to 23-micron categories offered.

The WMI gained a further 18 cents the following day, with gains of between 13 and 21 cents for the 18.5 to 22-micron categories offered. The WMI closed the week at 924 cents.

Major auction buyers for the week were ABB Wool Export (4198 bales), Techwool Trading (4136 bales) and Queensland Cotton (3932 bales).

This week’s wool auction estimates have been increased by over 6600 bales from the previous estimate. Now more than 56,000 bales are expected at auctions nationally.

Sales take place in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle, with Melbourne sales

opening the week yesterday and all three centres operating during today and Thursday.