Concern about fall in mohair production

The fifth sale of the winter season saw 93,8% of the more than 83 400kg of mohair on offer being sold. The hair was shorter and had a lower clean yield than at the previous sale, and the average price closed lower at R286/kg. This was due to the lower price levels achieved for the outsorts.

Although the sale started off slowly, competition improved later in the day, with all buyers competing actively, especially for some of the excellent individual clips.

“With limited quantities available for the rest of the season, buyers are seeking to secure their stock positions as current demand remains at good levels,” said Deon Saayman, general manager at Mohair South Africa.

Compared with the previous sale, prices were: kids’ (winter) unchanged; winter young goats’ mohair down 1%; and adult mohair unchanged.

Of concern was the dramatic drop in production over the past year. “We are in the closing week for intake for this winter season and are already 10% down on deliveries,” said Pierre van der Vyver, manager of mohair at CMW.

He blamed the decline on the drought, which had led to both smaller clips and lower kidding percentages, and farmers running out of funds to feed their flocks.

“This sale was half the size of the previous one and the next sale will be even smaller,” he said. This would likely see the market staying at least at current price levels until the end of the season, barring any dramatic movements in the exchange rate, he added.

Jordi and Gay van Hasselt of Prince Albert realised the best price of R508/kg for good-style winter kids’ hair of 25 microns. – Roelof Bezuidenhout