From jumpers to slug pellets - how British wool is back in demand
An increased demand in wool has meant prices have increased more than 70% in the last year.
British wool is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, leading to a more than 70% increase in prices over the past year. This surge is partly attributed to a reduction in the British sheep flock and the depletion of global wool stockpiles accumulated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, wool prices reached a decade-high, a significant turnaround from when some farmers resorted to burning fleeces in protest over meager payments. The average price for a kilogram of clean shorn wool recently hit £2.54, a substantial rise from less than £1.50 a year prior. While this increase might not be welcomed by consumers looking for affordable woolens this winter, it offers farmers a better chance of covering their shearing expenses.
Beyond its common use in jumpers and blankets, this versatile fiber is now incorporated into a diverse range of products, from flood defense systems to slug pellets, further fueling its demand. The wool industry boasts a long history, with the fiber being spun as far back as the Bronze Age.
Wyn Williams, who manages a flock of 700 sheep in the hills above Llanfair Caereinion in Powys, highlighted the financial demands of sheep farming. He noted that the increased demand and subsequent price hike for wool "helps cover costs." Williams explained, "We've got professional shearers coming, it's not everybody who can shear. You've also got your helpers, the wool wrappers and everything else so it assists with the costs."
Like most sheep farmers, Williams primarily raises his flock for meat and breeding, but wool care remains essential. He emphasized the importance of shearing from an animal welfare and health perspective, asking, "Who would want a big, strong winter coat still on with the excessive heat we're having at the moment?"
Fleeces from Williams's farm are transported to a local wool depot in Newtown, where manager Barry Bellis meticulously sorts them by hand. Bellis, with his extensive experience, can identify 68 different grades of wool. The finest grades are earmarked for formal wear, while others find their way into products like slug pellets.
The warehouse is filled with graded fleeces, awaiting packaging for processing. Bellis explained the dyeing potential of high-quality wool: "If you've got a nice white fleece, you're able to dye it pink, green, blue, whatever colour you want." He added that "The blue face Leicester fleece, which is our closest to the merino, that will go into knitwear like men's suits." In contrast, wool from Welsh mules is more commonly used for flooring. "This type of fleece, which contains kemp," Bellis clarified, "that will tend to go into a carpet blend because of the colour."
Gareth Jones of British Wool attributed the price boom to the fundamental principles of supply and demand. He stated, "There are less sheep in Wales, less sheep in the UK, producing less wool and if we look at a comparable market like New Zealand, there are less sheep there." Jones also noted that the "carry-over of wool since Covid – that's cleared in the last two years."
Despite the reduced availability of wool, global interest in the product has seen a significant resurgence. "It is in demand worldwide," Jones confirmed. "China is an important market for us, we also have a bedding manufacturer in South Korea, and we have some licensees in Japan."
As farmers continue to grapple with rising fuel and fertilizer costs, the increased income from wool provides a welcome financial relief for many.