Optimistic response to Ulster Wool costs

Ulster Wool, a farmer-owned cooperative, has been hailed for instance of collective advertising and praised for its success in bettering costs for sheep farmers in Northern Eire.

Irish Farmers’ Affiliation (IFA) Sheep Committee chair, Kevin Comiskey mentioned that Ulster Wool’s coordinated method had enormously benefitted its farmer members.

“Farmers in Northern Eire promoting wool by way of Ulster Wool scheme sometimes traded properly above costs within the Republic of Eire due to the constructions in place,” Comiskey said.

Go to to Ulster Wool

Comiskey, who lately visited Ulster Wool’s father or mother firm British Wool in Bradford, UK, mentioned he needed to see an identical organisation established in Eire.

He believes there are enormous alternatives to develop a singular model for Irish wool and the work should begin instantly, including:

“Discussions with Ulster Wool present what might be achieved the place a coordinated method with authorities help is supplied within the promotion, advertising and processing of wool.

“These are programs and constructions that may and have to be replicated for wool from the Republic of Eire.”

In its wool feasibility report revealed in July, the Division for Agriculture, Meals and the Marine (DAFM) dedicated €30,000 to assist set up an Irish wool council. Nonetheless, this has but to be taken additional.

Ulster Wool CEO Andrew Hogley mentioned the cooperative rules it operates by, enabled sheep farmers to profit from economies of scale.

“We imagine that working collectively is the one approach ahead. Ulster Wool is the one organisation that collects, grades and sells all wool on behalf of sheep farmers in Northern Eire.

“We nonetheless have work to do to generate demand and lift costs additional as our primary purpose stays to return one of the best worth to our farmer members.

“We have been delighted to host Mr. Comiskey and colleagues from the IFA and clarify our processes and we want them properly in creating a marketplace for Irish wool,” he continued.

Wool costs

Wool costs have strengthened because the easing of the Covid-19 pandemic measures in nations around the globe.

Nonetheless, Andrew Hogley believes that the market has extra to present.

“The hospitality sector, a really important finish consumer of the wool produced within the UK, shut down utterly throughout the pandemic,” he defined.

“Current months have seen the likes of motels and cruise line operators beginning to make investments once more of their companies. As a consequence of this, demand for prime quality woollen carpets is rising.

“That is excellent news for farmers, who will profit from a stronger wool worth. And we need to construct on this for the longer term,” he added.