According to the latest Government data on China’s wool trade, China’s exports of woven wool clothing were 144% higher in April 2017 than a year earlier and for the financial year to April, China’s exports of woven wool clothing were 46% higher year-on-year. There has been a significant increase in exports to the EU and a host of smaller destination countries. In contrast, China exports of wool yarn, wool fabric and wool sweaters declined in April (compared with April 2016) and exports of wool top lifted by 5%. For the 2016/2017 financial year to April, China exports of wool top, wool yarn, wool fabric and wool knitwear were down by 9%, 16%, 5% and 14% respectively.

China’s raw wool imports picked up in recent months, after being down by almost 20% in the first six months of the 2016/17 season. Even so, in the July to April period, China’s imports were 12% below the year-on-year level. But, there are significant differences in the imports by source country. China’s imports from Australia were 6% higher in the 10 months to April and imports from South Africa were in line with the year earlier level. In contrast, China’s imports from New Zealand, Uruguay and ‘Other’ countries were down by 41%, 54% and 19% respectively.

Full details including a chart showing trends in China's imports of raw and semi-processed wool by source country and a second chart showing data on China's exports of wool products  are included in the NCWSBA Weekly Newsletter for the week ending 23rd June 2017. Available to NCWSBA members.