Getting back upon the sheep's back

Following a Statistics NZ publication, Off the sheep's back, Federated Farmers is bullish that the ‘sheep’s back’ has potential to again become a major export. The Federation points to the recent renaissance in wool’s export value, which has wool returns up 31.5 percent on last year.

“Wool is New Zealand’s fourteenth largest export according to the most recent export statistics,” says Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson.

“Wool was worth $799 million in the year to last November and is arguably our sleeping export dragon. Federated Farmers feels it has potential to be worth much, much more if we can get our local and international houses in order.

“Locally, the industry has a number of roadblocks that Federated Farmers wishes to help clear. As an organisation, we’re planning to get discussion and momentum going again this year around wool.

“Through generic initiatives, like HRH The Prince of Wales’ Campaign for Wool, we can push wool’s inherent properties because it is natural and renewable. These are properties that local innovators like Icebreaker have latched onto.

“I mean, do people really want to wear oil? Oil is the basis for most manmade fibres so do you really want processed oil in your home as insulation, floor coverings or as clothing?

“We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that for some time wool has been swamped by these synthetic, largely oil based fibres. We lost ground but we now need to get up off the canvas and take markets back.

“While synthetic fibre manufacturers literally ripped the rug from underneath wool’s feet, a growing global consciousness about sustainability works in our favour. What can be more sustainable, natural and renewable than wool?

“Another ace up our sleeve is the shift of global economic power. Countries like Russia and China value high quality wool over oil-based fibres. Again we need to become smarter locally and internationally if we’re to reap the benefits of lifting wool up to where it belongs.

“This is why Federated Farmers views wool as integral to a sustainable sheep industry. Wool is a vital part of our T150 campaign for sustainable returns to farmers.

“Just as the dairy industry is a major contributor to New Zealand’s beef exports, sheep farmers need to avoid putting all of our eggs into one basket labelled meat. We are by backing wool and the wool industry to grow once again,” Mrs Maxwell concluded.