New season lambs stronger

The market for new season lambs was 'much stronger' which was mostly driven by traditional Japanese rug requirements and 'to be quite honest that is all I can say', said John Azemat, managing director of Philippe Rives, in an interview with Leather International. Melbourne-based Rives are exporters lamb and sheepskins and this is very much a seasonal market. The early skins are the most sought after although he expected garment manufacturers to enter the market and buy those grades which are not totally suitable for the rug market. The Chinese could show some interest and thus might bring 'an element of competition into the market.' Azemat said the lamb population in Australia had in creased only slightly over the past five years. Australian skin prices are somewhat higher than most skin prices in other raw material supplying countries which is somewhat of a paradox. He added that other people did not understand why Australian skins were bringing a higher price than American and South African skins. 'One of the main reasons is that we have different markets', Azemat said.