Economic green shoots seen on the backs of mohair goats

The recent increase in mohair fibre prices is a potential indication that the luxury end of the international consumer market may be rebounding.

“I am excited with the latest auction prices for Mohair. It is a high value luxury fibre that has proved remarkably immune to the decline other commodities have seen,” says Chris Sundstrum, President of Federated Farmers North Canterbury.

“My own company, Mohair Pacific, has seen the price for adult coarse fibre go from $8.50 per kilogram to $11 per kilogram. That’s a 22 percent uplift from the previous auction for 35 micron fibre.

“The highest quality superfine kid fibre, used for suiting material is holding steady at around $40 per kilogram for 25 micron fibre. To put that into perspective, a single human hair is around 100 microns.

“Mohair from young goats or kids is used in high quality suits but as the animal ages, the wool becomes suitable for velours and knitwear at 32 microns and in the production of coats and rugs from 34 microns plus.

“The average Angora goat produces about 4 kilograms of mohair each year and while New Zealand’s production of around 53,000 kilograms is only one percent of total world production, it shows how our industry has bounced back from the 1980s.

“Mohair now represents a high-end export earner for New Zealand.

”Importantly, the way the market is increasing for coarser fibre indicates that demand for high end rugs and coats is actually increasing.

“It provides a positive marker for recovery in the wider international economy,” Mr Sundstrum concluded.