Wool prices this year are looking likely to stay at 2020 levels, according to an Irish Wool Merchant.

2020 was a positive year for sheep prices and so far in 2021, that has continued to be the case, with prices reaching record levels up until recently.

However, wool prices hit a new low in 2020, with the poor-quality scotch wool in cases being worthless, and the best-quality wool worth up to a mere 20c/kg.

To get an insight into what prices farmers might expect for their wool clip this year, Agriland spoke to Kevin Dooley of Dooley Wool Merchants.

He said: "To be honest, it's early days yet, but as of now I can't see prices moving off from where they were last year at the minute.

"At the minute, prices for fine, good-quality, clean, white wool, are looking like 20c/kg - and then probably 5c/kg for scotch-type wool," he said.

"That's what it's looking like currently. I'll have more of an idea closer to June on what we'll actually be quoting, but I can't see at the moment prices moving off from where they were last year.

"It's just hard to know at the minute what way the whole thing will go because it's early days yet," Kevin said.

Kevin said that about a third of his customers held off selling their wool clip last year.

He added: "Just with the way prices were last year, I'd say about a third of my customers decided to hold onto their wool and see if prices would improve.

Kevin concluded by saying that despite the poor prices, that when sheep are being shorn they are dagged and shorn in dry weather, and that the wool is stored in a dry place - so as to not hinder the quality of it.