Australian Wool Exports – 2025–26 Season

China remained overwhelmingly Australia’s largest wool export market, accounting for 89.2% of export volume and 87.9% of export value. Although shipments to China fell by 5.2%, their value

increased by 21.1%, implying a substantial rise in the average value of wool exported. This is consistent with the stronger wool prices recorded during the 2025–26 season.

A similar pattern occurred in India and Italy. Export volumes declined by 6.0% and 5.4% respectively, while export values increased by 20.4% to India and 13.9% to Italy. Based on these

movements, the implied average export value increased by approximately 28% for India, 28% for China and 20% for Italy.

This indicates that higher prices more than compensated for reduced shipment volumes

across the three major markets. Italy accounted for only 2.6% of export volume but 4.5% of export value, reflecting its tendency to purchase higher-value fine and superfine wool. India’s volume and

value shares were both 5.6%, suggesting its purchases were broadly in line with the average value of Australian wool exports.

China’s value share was slightly below its volume share, reflecting the broader range of wool types purchased by Chinese processors. Czechia was the exception, with export volume falling by

18.9% and value declining by 20.0%. This indicates both weaker demand and a broadly unchanged to slightly lower average value per unit. The figures also highlight the continued concentration

of Australian wool exports in China, leaving export earnings highly exposed to changes in Chinese processing demand and market conditions.

Source: Beyond the Bale September 2026