From jumpers to slug pellets - how British wool is back in demand

In the past year, the price of wool has surged by more than 70%, driven by a decline in the British sheep population and a dwindling global stockpile left over from the Covid-19 pandemic. Prices have hit a 10-year high, with a kilogram of clean shorn wool fetching £2.54, compared to less than £1.50 a year ago. This price increase may deter consumers looking for woolly socks and jumpers this winter, but it benefits farmers by helping them cover the costs of shearing.

While most associate wool with jumpers and blankets, it also finds application in diverse items like flood protection systems and slug pellets, further bolstering demand. Wyn Williams, a sheep farmer on the hills above Llanfair Caereinion in Powys, acknowledges the expense involved but believes the rising prices assist in offsetting costs. Williams primarily raises sheep for meat and breeding, not wool, but shearing is essential for animal welfare and health.

After shearing, the fleeces are transported to a local wool depot in Newtown, where manager Barry Bellis meticulously sorts them by hand, identifying 68 distinct grades. The highest-quality wool is used for formal wear, while others find use in products ranging from slug pellets to carpet blends. Gareth Jones, from British Wool, attributes the price surge to supply and demand, noting that fewer sheep in the UK and comparable markets like New Zealand have contributed to the scarcity.

Despite the rising costs of fuel and fertilizers, wool sales provide a welcome financial relief for many farmers.