Bright future for strong wool

There is more swagger in the step of strong wool merchants thanks to a tide of eco-consumerism and innovation amongst Kiwi producers.

The Strong Wool Action Group (Swag) is an organisation set up to promote the strong wool sector and it estimates producers are sitting on a $500 million opportunity.

The export price of strong wool has tanked from a high of around $10 a kilogram in the 1980’s, to just over two dollars today.

Strong Wool Action Group executive officer Andy Caughey says for the first time in 40 years the market conditions are optimistic for strong wool.

“In June this year Price Waterhouse Cooper’s Global Consumer Insights Pulse Survey, found half of all people surveyed say they’ve become even more eco-friendly. This is up from 35 per cent of respondents in 2019.

“This illustrates the global opportunity to meet changing consumer needs. It’s no coincidence that the strong wool price started to plummet around the time nylon plastic flooded the market. But now that plastic is quickly losing popularity and consumers want to make sustainable choices, strong wool is making a comeback.

“From premium coats, bags, rugs, acoustic panelling, to components in paints, cosmetics and skin care – strong wool is making the shift from a commodity to a component of premium sustainable product shoppers want.”

In the year ending June 2020, New Zealand exported 71,028 tonnes of clean strong wool. It was sold at an average price of $2.27. Lifting this back up to $10 a kilogram would transform the industry from a $200 million nearly $750 million.

“Clearly we’ve got a long way to go to get back up to $10 a kilogram. But even $5 a kilogram would pump nearly $200 million extra into the New Zealand economy.

“We’re already seeing examples of strong wool selling for $4.50 a kilogram, so we’re heading in the right direction for the first time in decades.

“Now’s the time for clever people to stand up for the strong wool businesses that capitalise on the sustainability movement. In the last five years, online searches for sustainable goods have grown by 71 per cent.

“There is so much potential for the strong wool sector with the growing diversity of applications that support healthier and safer living.

“The world is turning away from plastics and retailers are already responding.

“We’re seeing major carpet and furniture companies abandon synthetics and the emergence of new companies innovating with strong wool in applications far beyond how the fibre has traditionally been used.”


0 Comments

There are no comments on this article.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to make a comment. Login Now
Opinion Poll

We're not running a poll right now. Check back soon!