China buying skins

Prices of Australian woolskins remain high as Chinese tanners buy available stocks and the continuing drought has depleted numbers. According to John Gorman, president, Australian Hide, Skin and Leather Exporters Association (AHSLEA), the country has endured five years of dry conditions with a dramatic effect on the national flock numbers. 'The sheep population in Australia now stands at around 92 million head. This is the lowest figure for 55 years and it will be at least two years before stock numbers begin to recover', he said.