Axminster goes direct to help wool growers
Website Editor • July 28, 2020
Axminster Carpets plans to deal directly with farmers to shorten the supply chain and boost the value of fleeces to growers of carpet-grade wool.
Managing partner Gary Bridge told Farmers Weekly: “We know farmers are facing tough times because of the backlog created by the closure of the Wool Market and the slump in demand for wool, which has forced down prices. We are urging farmers to get in touch if they produce wool that can be used in carpet production.
“This is from coarser breeds with a micron of 35-40 such as Devons, Scotch Blackface, Cheviot, Dartmoor and Lincolns, and also medium- to heavy-crosses. For wool outside these breeds and categories, we will do our best to work with industry partners and contacts to find a suitable use,” he said.
British Wool confirmed a sharp drop in the value of last year’s clip and withdrew this year’s advance payment. The co-operative, which sells wool on behalf of the vast majority of UK sheep farmers, said it was facing the most severe recession in its history. The average price paid to producers for last year’s crop will be 32p/kg, almost half of the 60p/kg average price received for the 2018 clip.
An online petition is demanding the use of British wool in the government’s new home insulation scheme and is nearing 15,000 signatures as frustrated farmers battle to find any value for this year’s clip.
Managing partner Gary Bridge told Farmers Weekly: “We know farmers are facing tough times because of the backlog created by the closure of the Wool Market and the slump in demand for wool, which has forced down prices. We are urging farmers to get in touch if they produce wool that can be used in carpet production.
“This is from coarser breeds with a micron of 35-40 such as Devons, Scotch Blackface, Cheviot, Dartmoor and Lincolns, and also medium- to heavy-crosses. For wool outside these breeds and categories, we will do our best to work with industry partners and contacts to find a suitable use,” he said.
British Wool confirmed a sharp drop in the value of last year’s clip and withdrew this year’s advance payment. The co-operative, which sells wool on behalf of the vast majority of UK sheep farmers, said it was facing the most severe recession in its history. The average price paid to producers for last year’s crop will be 32p/kg, almost half of the 60p/kg average price received for the 2018 clip.
An online petition is demanding the use of British wool in the government’s new home insulation scheme and is nearing 15,000 signatures as frustrated farmers battle to find any value for this year’s clip.
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