Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) reported that Taiwan is Australia's 4th largest customer for greasy wool even though its raw wool imports (mainly of greasy wool from Australia) fell during January-September 2005.

Taiwan's wool top imports were also lower, with China continuing to gain share of Taiwan's top imports. China now accounts for 41 percent of wool top imports by volume, compared with a 35 percent share last year.

During Q3 2005 there was a surge in imported top from Argentina.

It is estimated that 70 percent of total wool top imports is of Australian wool origin, regardless of the combing location.

Wool top exports from Taiwan weakened further in the face of stiff competition from China and as a consequence of fewer shipments to Japan, Korea and China. However, exports to smaller markets such as Malaysia, India, Iran, Vietnam and Indonesia all increased this year.

Exports of Taiwan's carbonized wool during January-September 2005 were down on the same period the previous year and it is likely with Taiwan's Chuwa Wool Industrial Co's recently sold wool carbonising lines being relocated to China in January and June 2006 that this will be a continuing trend.

Taiwan's exports of carbonised wool in 2004 (of Australian wool origin) went mainly to South Korea and Japan.

AWI mission is to drive research, development and innovation that will increase the long-term profitability of Australian woolgrowers.

Australian Wool Innovation Limited