Greasy Wool Market

The global greasy wool market is projected to experience a slight uptrend in consumption over the next eight years, with a forecasted increase in market volume and value. Key findings include China as the largest consumer and importer, Australia dominating exports, and fluctuations in prices. Production levels, import and export trends will also impact the market dynamics.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for greasy wool worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $8.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Greasy Wool

In 2022, global greasy wool consumption shrank slightly to 1.8M tons, almost unchanged from the year before. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 2M tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global greasy wool market revenue declined to $6.3B in 2022, with a decrease of -1.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a mild downturn. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $9.5B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

China (575K tons) remains the largest greasy wool consuming country worldwide, accounting for 31% of total volume. Moreover, greasy wool consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, New Zealand (106K tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Turkey (87K tons), with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled -1.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: New Zealand (-1.5% per year) and Turkey (+3.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($2.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by New Zealand ($414M). It was followed by India.

In China, the greasy wool market shrank by an average annual rate of -2.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: New Zealand (-3.6% per year) and India (-3.1% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of greasy wool per capita consumption was registered in New Zealand (21 kg per person), followed by Turkmenistan (6.6 kg per person), Kazakhstan (2.1 kg per person) and Morocco (1.6 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of greasy wool was estimated at less than 0.1 kg per person.

In New Zealand, greasy wool per capita consumption decreased by an average annual rate of -3.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Turkmenistan (-0.6% per year) and Kazakhstan (-0.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Greasy Wool

In 2022, the amount of greasy wool produced worldwide contracted slightly to 1.9M tons, leveling off at 2021 figures. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 2.7% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 2.1M tons. From 2014 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, greasy wool production fell to $6.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 66%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $14.9B. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (345K tons), Australia (344K tons) and New Zealand (130K tons), with a combined 42% share of global production. Turkey, the UK, Sudan, Morocco, Iran, Russia, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +4.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Greasy Wool

In 2022, the amount of greasy wool imported worldwide contracted to 372K tons, declining by -11.2% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 497K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, greasy wool imports dropped slightly to $2.8B in 2022. In general, imports recorded a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 43%. Global imports peaked at $4B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

China was the largest importing country with an import of about 230K tons, which finished at 62% of total imports. It was distantly followed by India (41K tons) and the Czech Republic (28K tons), together generating an 18% share of total imports. Italy (14K tons), Uruguay (10K tons), the UK (8.8K tons), Bulgaria (7.9K tons), Belgium (5.8K tons) and Turkey (5.8K tons) took a little share of total imports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of greasy wool. At the same time, Bulgaria (+14.5%) and the UK (+3.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +14.5% from 2012-2022. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, India (-2.0%), Uruguay (-2.9%), Italy (-2.9%), Belgium (-4.8%) and Turkey (-9.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria increased by +7.6, +1.8 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($2.1B) constitutes the largest market for imported greasy wool worldwide, comprising 77% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($174M), with a 6.3% share of global imports. It was followed by India, with a 6.2% share.

In China, greasy wool imports decreased by an average annual rate of -1.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (-0.6% per year) and India (-3.7% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average greasy wool import price amounted to $7,445 per ton, with an increase of 8.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 13%. Global import price peaked at $8,313 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($12,330 per ton), while Turkey ($409 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+17.5%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Greasy Wool

In 2022, the amount of greasy wool exported worldwide reduced to 481K tons, declining by -8.9% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports showed a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum at 641K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, greasy wool exports contracted to $2.7B in 2022. In general, exports showed a perceptible descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $3.7B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

Australia dominates exports structure, resulting at 309K tons, which was approx. 64% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by South Africa (42K tons) and New Zealand (24K tons), together committing a 14% share of total exports. Spain (10K tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Australia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of greasy wool. South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Spain (-3.5%) and New Zealand (-5.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Australia and South Africa increased by +11 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Australia ($2.1B) remains the largest greasy wool supplier worldwide, comprising 79% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($256M), with a 9.6% share of global exports. It was followed by New Zealand, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Australia amounted to -1.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (-0.8% per year) and New Zealand (-6.1% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average greasy wool export price amounted to $5,574 per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $6,574 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($6,853 per ton), while Spain ($1,531 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand (-0.7%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform