Wool production is historically Australia’s best known and most successful rural industry. Long regarded as a mainstay of the national economy, income earned from the export of wool underpinned Australia’s current account for two centuries.
In the past it was often said that the Australian economy “rides on the sheep’s back”. As we move into a new century, this adage is no longer true. Although wool is still a major export earner, it no longer holds such a pre-eminent position. Wool is now faced with much more direct competition from other fibres, both natural and synthetic.
Marketing efforts over the last three decades have concentrated on the virtues of pure wool, with little emphasis given to wool blends. As the competition has increased and the quality and versatility of alternative fibres has improved, the value of wool has diminished. The direct result has been a dramatic reduction in the national flock and ABS estimates that there are approximately 108 million sheep in Australia today compared with 172 million in 1989.
The Australian Merino remains the dominant sheep breed, accounting for approximately 75% of the Australian flock.
The wool of the Australian Merino is widely regarded as the best quality in the world and Australian producers remain committed to maintaining this quality which has been established over 200 years. This commitment should see Australia maintain its position as the world’s pre-eminent producer of the ‘miracle fibre’ well into the future.
