WOOL

Total wool production increased slightly by 16 thousand tonnes (4%) in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10. 2009-10 was the lowest recorded wool production season since 1925, to 368 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 .

Wool production follows a similar pattern to sheep numbers, dropping severely in the last twenty years. Production reached a national high in 1990 at 1 million tonnes, then dropped rapidly to 353 thousand tonnes by 2010. A similar trend appears across all states with production falling significantly after 1990.

Australia is the world's largest wool producer, accounting for about a quarter of total production. Almost all of Australia's wool is exported, the major markets being China, Italy and India. For more information regarding the Australian wool industry and its history please visit Year book Australia, 2003, The wool industry - looking back and forward (cat. no. 1301.0).

Previous Page