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Uruguay: Wool Production Becomes Finer

Uruguay: Wool Production Becomes Finer

The Uruguayan Wool Secretariat, in its publication Ovinos No. 202, presented the results of objective measurements carried out at its Wool Laboratory.  The report compiles the annualised data for 2025 and sets out the values obtained from commercial lots, highlighting two key parameters: the average fibre diameter and the wool’s scouring yield.

In this report, the certified results provided by the Wool Laboratory of the Uruguayan Wool Secretariat (SUL) are presented, covering fibre diameter and scouring yield for lots from the 2025 season, based on samples received for that purpose. The analysis was carried out through Core-test procedures, in accordance with the standards of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), and performed by the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU) using the Sirolan Laserscan equipment, with results expressed in microns.

Most of the sampling was carried out by shearing teams accredited by the Uruguayan Wool Secretariat (SUL), previously trained for this purpose, applying a sampling protocol that ensures the representativeness of each lot.

It should be noted that these results are generally not used directly for export purposes, but rather serve as a technical reference for both farmers and buyers. The official certification for export, whether in greasy wool or with some degree of processing, is subsequently carried out by the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU), an organisation accredited by the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO).

The samples received by the SUL Wool Laboratory and subsequently analysed by LATU represented a total of 4.8 million kilograms of greasy wool shorn. Of this, 91% corresponded to A-quality fleeces (the best) while the remaining 9% comprised wools with certain quality issues.

The overall average of the wool analysed was 20.2 microns and 78.1% scouring yield, equivalent to approximately 75.1% dry combing yield (SCH). These overall results confirm a process of fining in Uruguayan wools compared with the previous year, accompanied by a very good combing yield. Taking into account the breeds analysed, the Uruguayan Wool Secretariat (SUL) published the following, summarising the main characteristics:

Merino Kilograms Sample 2,917,426, 18.5 micron, scouring yield 77.9%

  • Dohne Merino Kilogram Sample 420,660, 20.6 micron, scouring yield 77.2%
  • Polwarth Kilogram Sample 462,057, 21.7 micron, scouring yield 80.8%
  • Crossbred Kilogram Sample 439,818, 22.4 micron, scouring yield 78.1%
  • Merilín Kilogram Sample 104,596, 23.1 micron, scouring yield 75.6%
  • Corriedale Kilogram Sample 415,045, 26.4 micron, scouring yield 78.6%

The total wool sampled was 4,759,601 kg, average fibre diameter 20.2 micron, with an average scouring yield of 78.1%.

WOOL EXPORTS FROM URUGUAY (Season 2025/26 – Jul 2025 to Jun 2026)  

With the 2025/26 season having concluded last month, and based on the data published by the National Customs (DNA), we verified that Uruguay exported a total of 43.1 million kilograms of wool on a greasy equivalent basis, representing 2.9% more than in the previous season.

 Of this total, 41% corresponded to greasy wool, 33% to scoured wool, and 26% to wool tops. 

Uruguay’s export matrix has shifted, and for some years now the largest category exported has once again been greasy wool, as in former times, with the difference that in recent years the wool has been very well harvested and properly prepared.

GREASY WOOL 

During the 2025/26 season, Uruguay exported a total of 17.5 million kilograms of wool on a greasy-equivalent basis, a volume slightly below that recorded in the 2024/25 season. In value terms, Uruguay sold abroad a total of USD 81.6 million, registering an increase of 52.8% compared with the same period of the previous season.

The main destinations for greasy wool were (percentage of total US dollars): China (92.9%), Italy (4.7%), Australia (0.8%), Egypt (0.6%), and Bulgaria, Germany and Hong Kong (each 0.3%). It is worth highlighting that, as in previous seasons, Estancias Puppo S.A. has continued to be the largest exporter of fine greasy wool from Uruguay.

SCOURED WOOL 

In relation to exports of scoured wool, these totalled 7.7 million kilograms (actual weight), and the main destinations were (percentage of total US dollars): China (72.5%), India (13.4%), and Egypt (6.9%).

WOOL TOPS 

Container of premium fine wool RWS from Estancias Puppo Exports of wool tops during the 2025/26 season totalled 9 million kilograms (actual weight).  The main destinations for wool tops were (percentage of total US dollars): Italy (28.2%), Germany (19.3%), China (9.4%), Turkey (6.9%), and Mexico (5.1%). Source: by José Luis Trifoglio – at the new Estancias Puppo

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