The benchark Eastern Market Indicator tumbled another 24 cents yesterday as the Sydney market came into line with the price falls at Melbourne's sale on Tuesday.
Sydney and Fremantle didn't sell on Tuesday and some downward adjustment in their price levels wasn't unexpected.
Wools 17.5 microns and finer eased by 40-50 cents a kilogram clean in Sydney while the 18-18.5 micron range was 70-90c easier.
Broader microns ended the day 100-110c lower across all types and descriptions.
The EMI finished the day at 1571c even though the Southern Indicator in Melbourne fell only one cent to 1542c in contrast to a 61c slide in the Northern Indicator is Sydney which dropped to 1617c.
The story was much the same in the west although the price falls for Merino fleece lines at Fremantle weren't as large.
Finer microns attracted strong support and as a result 19.5 micron and finer were only 10 to 15c easier while 20 microns and coarser sold at levels 20-30c below those at the previous sale.
However the price falls drew a sharp response from vendors with a pass-in rate of almost 29 per cent, AWEX said.
Demand for any Merino skirtings finer than 17 microns was extreme while 18 micron skirtings were generally 50-70c dearer.
The Western Indicator finished the day down 11c to 1676c.
In Melbourne the market was relatively unchanged from Tuesday with prices rallying after early falls.
Wools 19 micron and finer were unchanged to 5c dearer while 19.5 micron and broader closed 5c easier.
Merino skirtings held a steady tempo with selective lots of 17.5 and finer with low vegetable matter adding 10c while all other microns and descriptions fell 5-10c.
The pass-in rate on yesterday's national offering of 22,826 bales was 17.1pc.
A total 24,546 bales are rostered for sale today in Melbourne, Sydney and Fremantle.
Vernon Graham
Former editor of The Land, former Fairfax Media Agricultural Editor
Former editor of The Land, former Fairfax Media Agricultural Editor
