23 April 2008 - In the 2007 calendar year, Uruguay and Argentina's raw wool export volumes saw strong growth. The solid rise in raw wool export volumes from South America can be explained by strong demand for mid-micron wool from China amid growing shortages in Australia.

Uruguay's top five export destinations by volume for the 2007 calendar year were China, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Iran. Compared to the previous year, China increased its import volumes strongly and its market share rose moderately. Italy, on the other hand, imported much less wool from Uruguay and its market share fell strongly. The remaining three export destinations all recorded strong annual increases.

The top five destinations of Argentina's wool exports by volume in 2007 were Germany, China, Italy, Mexico and Turkey. All top five importing countries except Italy and Turkey recorded significant year-on-year rises. In 2007 Italy's imports remained at the same level as one year earlier, while Turkey reduced wool imports from Argentina by more than one third.

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© The Woolmark Company 2008

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