Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global wool market was valued at approximately USD 30.87 billion in 2021
Australia produces around 25% of the world’s wool
In 2020, China was the largest consumer of raw wool, importing around 260 million kilograms
Merino wool accounts for about 80% of Australian wool production
The average fleece weight per Australian sheep is about 4.5 kg
Global wool production is approximately 1.1 million tonnes annually
The United States imported approximately $99 million worth of wool products in 2021
In 2023, the Australian wool clip forecast was 340 million kilograms greasy
Over 68 million sheep are shorn in Australia each year
Italy is a major global processor of raw wool, particularly in its Biella region
The average micron diameter of merino wool is between 17 and 23 microns
Wool accounts for 1.3% of global textile fiber production
The carbon footprint of wool is about 24.9 kg CO2 per kg of clean wool
Consumption and Trade
- In 2020, China was the largest consumer of raw wool, importing around 260 million kilograms
- The United States imported approximately $99 million worth of wool products in 2021
- The EU imported over 30,000 tonnes of wool in 2022
- About 30% of global wool goes into apparel
- The UK exports around 70% of its wool clip
- About 90% of greasy wool is scoured in exporting countries
- Australia exports wool to over 30 countries
- Global demand for sustainable textiles increased wool sales by 18% from 2020 to 2022
- Over 60% of wool garments are dry-cleaned
- Global wool trade volumes exceed 720,000 tonnes per year
Interpretation
From greasy clips to high fashion, the wool trade spins a global web where sustainability drives demand, China leads the flock, and even stubborn dry-cleaning habits can’t shrink the industry's growing impact.
Economic and Market Data
- The global wool market was valued at approximately USD 30.87 billion in 2021
- Fine wool types earn over AUD 10/kg at market during peak demand
- Over 1.2 million people are employed in the global wool industry
- Sheep shearing in Australia contributes over AUD 300 million to the economy annually
- Wool exports contribute about USD 3 billion to the Australian economy annually
- The average price of clean wool was USD 5.86 per kg in 2023
- New Zealand’s wool exports are valued at approximately NZD 430 million annually
- Wool represents 7% of Australian farm exports by value
- The global wool apparel market is projected to reach USD 41 billion by 2027
- In Australia, 90% of shorn wool is sold via open-cry auction or electronic sales
- The wool industry in South Africa supports about 40,000 households
- British Wool sells wool from over 35,000 UK sheep farmers
- North America processes only 2–3% of global wool clip
- Wool textiles made up 9.5% of the luxury apparel segment in 2021
- The average farm gate return per kg of wool in New Zealand in 2022 was NZD 2.33
Interpretation
Though it may stem from humble sheep, the global wool industry weaves a high-stakes economic tapestry—employing over a million people, fueling billion-dollar markets, and proving that what’s shorn in the shed echoes across continents and luxury catwalks alike.
Production
- Australia produces around 25% of the world’s wool
- The average fleece weight per Australian sheep is about 4.5 kg
- Global wool production is approximately 1.1 million tonnes annually
- In 2023, the Australian wool clip forecast was 340 million kilograms greasy
- Over 68 million sheep are shorn in Australia each year
- Italy is a major global processor of raw wool, particularly in its Biella region
- Wool accounts for 1.3% of global textile fiber production
- New Zealand produces around 9% of global wool
- Wool makes up 5% of global animal fiber production
- The UK had approximately 33.6 million sheep in 2022
- The US wool clip typically consists of 13 to 15 million pounds of greasy wool annually
- Argentina contributes about 3% to global wool production
- Uruguay processes approximately 70% of its wool locally
- Spain produced around 22,000 tonnes of wool in 2021
- The average shearing time per sheep is 2–3 minutes
- A skilled shearer can shear up to 200 sheep per day
- More than 50% of wool processing occurs in China
- 80% of wool produced globally is from sheep breeds bred solely for wool
- South Africa produces approximately 45 million kg of wool annually, mostly merino
Interpretation
In a world where wool accounts for just 1.3% of textile fiber production, Australia punches far above its fleece weight—shearing over 68 million sheep to supply a quarter of global wool and proving that while sheep may be quiet, their economic impact is anything but baa-shful.
Sustainability and Innovation
- The carbon footprint of wool is about 24.9 kg CO2 per kg of clean wool
- Wool textiles have an average lifecycle of over 50 years
- Wool biodegrades in less than 6 months in soil
- Wool insulation has a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.035-0.040 W/mK
- Less than 2% of wool globally is certified organic
- 29% of wool garments are donated for reuse or resale
- Washing wool uses up to 50% less water than cotton in laundering
- Wool dye uptake is 50% higher than synthetic alternatives
- Modern shearing machines reduce injury rates by 30% compared to manual clippers
- Wool apparel can last more than 20 years with proper care
- Wool absorbs volatile organic compounds from the air
- Shearing has become mandatory once a year in multiple countries for animal welfare
- Wool insulation use increased 10% annually in sustainable building practices
- Recycled wool garments made up 3.7% of all second-hand textiles sold in Europe in 2021
Interpretation
Though wool starts with a hefty carbon footprint at nearly 25 kg CO₂ per kilo, it redeems itself with a 50-year lifespan, rapid biodegradability, efficient insulation, air-purifying powers, and a wardrobe longevity that outlasts fashion trends—proving that sustainability sometimes wears a sweater.
Wool Types and Quality
- Merino wool accounts for about 80% of Australian wool production
- The average micron diameter of merino wool is between 17 and 23 microns
- Wool shrinks when exposed to moisture and heat unless treated
- Wool has natural crimp, enhancing elasticity
- Wool naturally resists odors, making it ideal for athletic wear
- Wool fibers can bend 20,000 times without breaking
- Superfine merino wool (below 17.5 microns) is used primarily in luxury apparel
- Wool has a natural UV protection rating of UPF 30+
- Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet
- Wool is naturally flame resistant
- The elasticity of wool allows it to be stretched up to 30% without damage
- Wool has a low odor-retention rate compared to polyester by nearly 70%
- Australian superfine wool accounted for 18% of the national clip in 2022
- Machine-washable wool grew 25% in production share between 2015 and 2020
- Wool producers are paid by weight and micron fineness, with premiums for ultra-fine grades
- Wool resists static electricity far better than synthetic fibers
Interpretation
Soft as a whisper but tough as a workhorse, Australian Merino wool dominates the global fleece game by blending luxury and performance—shrinking only when it wants to, stretching without stress, and smelling like roses even after a marathon.