In the United States
In 2008, the average price paid for wool sold in the United States was 99 cents per pound for a total value of $32.5 million. 443 million head of sheep were shorn in 2008. The average fleece weight was 7.5 pounds.
The average price for wool grease was 1.90 cents per pound. ($4.18/kg)
Globally
Wool is a freely traded international commodity, subject to global supply and demand. While wool represents only 3% of world fiber production, it is important to many country's economies and way of life. Australia dominates the world wool market. The United States accounts for less than 1 percent of the world's wool production and is a net importer of wool. The top states for wool production are Texas, California, and Wyoming.
World Production of Wool, 2004
Country |
Million pounds
|
Number of Sheep |
Australia |
1,153
|
|
China |
825
|
|
New Zealand |
481
|
45 million |
Eastern Europe |
430
|
|
Argentina |
174
|
|
Mongolia | 150 estimated | 20 million |
Turkey |
119
|
|
United Kingdom |
108
|
|
South Africa |
101
|
|
Uraguay |
82
|
|
United States |
46
|
|
World total |
4,731
|
Value of the wool industry to Mongolian economy is about $148.5 million USD
If recovered, the wool grease, at 20% by weight, could yield 30 million pounds or $57 million added to Mongolia's GNP