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

Wool prices have surged by over 70% in the past year, primarily due to a smaller British flock of sheep and reduced global stockpiles from the Covid-19 pandemic. Prices hit a 10-year high earlier this year, with a kilogram of clean shorn wool selling for £2.54, compared to under £1.50 a year ago. This increase may not be popular among consumers looking for woolen socks and jumpers this winter, but it benefits farmers by helping them cover the costs of shearing.

While wool is commonly associated with jumpers and blankets, it is also used in various products, including flood protection systems and slug pellets, further driving demand.

Wyn Williams, a farmer in Powys, maintains a flock of 700 sheep and acknowledges the increased expenses associated with wool production. He attributes the rising prices to the demand, stating that it assists in covering costs. Most sheep farmers rear their animals for meat and breeding, but they must also take care of their wool.

The wool from Williams' farm is taken to a local wool depot in Newtown, where manager Barry Bellis sorts the fleeces by hand into 68 different grades. The highest quality wool is used for formal wear, while other grades are used for items like slug pellets.

Wool has a long history, dating back to the Bronze Age, and remains an essential industry in the UK. Barry Bellis, the wool depot manager, can identify various grades of wool, with the blue face Leicester fleece, closest to the merino, typically used for knitwear such as men's suits. Wool from Welsh mules, containing kemp, is more likely to be used in carpet blends due to its color.

Gareth Jones from British Wool attributes the recent price boom to supply and demand issues, noting that there are fewer sheep in the UK and Wales, producing less wool compared to countries like New Zealand. Despite the continued challenges posed by increasing fuel and fertilizer costs, earning money from wool sales provides a welcomed relief for many farmers.