Fine Merino fleeces have once again been the driving force behind the rise in the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) for selling week 52. The EMI rose by 20c to finish at 1,468c/kg, or 1,108c/kg in US dollar terms. Due to Fremantle’s mid-year schedule of fortnightly sales, only Melbourne and Sydney centres were selling this week. Between the two, 30,000 bales were offered with a passed in rate of 5.1%.