The Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors (ACWEP), the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia (NCWSBA), and WoolProducers Australia (WPA) on Tuesday issued a joint statement re-emphasising the urgent need for a unified industry strategy on mulesing.
This follows comments made by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Chairman Jock Laurie, which the organisations believe understate the significant and growing risks facing Australian wool in key international markets.
While Mr Laurie's recent remarks suggest that all wool, including mulesed wool, can find a buyer, industry leaders argue that this perspective is a short-sighted view that fails to address future market realities and the evolving demands of global consumers.
ACWEP President Josh Lamb said exporters were seeing an undeniable and accelerating shift from global brands and retailers who are increasingly committing to non-mulesed wool, often certified under standards like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme (AWSS).
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“Significant premiums for these wools are clear and present in the auction market today and have been for several years," Mr Lamb said.
“Accepting current market dynamics alone is a high-risk strategy that could jeopardise our access to high-value markets.
"It is essential that we have a clear, forward-looking strategy to position our industry for sustained success across all international markets, not just the ones that will accept our current practices."
Echoing this sentiment, NCWSBA President Rowan Woods pointed out that the brokers' role is to maximise returns for growers, which requires a proactive approach to market trends.
"It is true that all mulesed wool is still sold, but the market is becoming more segmented, and we cannot ignore the signs of a growing preference for certified, non-mulesed wool," Mr Woods said.
“The demand for accredited CM/NM wool has been growing for some time, with market reports, including AWI weekly reports referencing the premium observed in the wool auctions. Andrew Woods on Mecardo, has also used AWEX auction data to analyse the premium non-mulesed accredited wool is receiving, with a consistent pattern of increasing premiums over the past 12 months.
“The conversation is no longer about whether non-mulesed wool sells; it is about ensuring that Australian growers can access every possible market and every potential premium."
Mr Woods called for a consistent, industry-wide strategy will give growers the confidence and clear market signals they need to make informed business decisions.
WoolProducers Australia CEO Jo Hall also stressed that a unified approach is not a matter of individual choice but a collective responsibility.
"Growers need transparent and timely market intel and they need a clear pathway forward," Ms Hall said.
"The suggestion that it is up to each individual grower to make up their own mind puts the onus and the risk squarely on their shoulders so at the very least they must be empowered to make an informed decision.
“We believe the industry must work together to develop a collaborative strategy that provides the tools, support, and market security necessary for all growers to meet the challenges and opportunities of an evolving global market.
"A fragmented approach adopted so far has only served to undermine Australia's position as the world's leading wool producer."
