Low wool price brings New Zealand rivals to the table
22/12/2009
Two woolgrowers’ co-operatives in New Zealand have held talks over future joint marketing initiatives.
The two organisations, Primary Wool Co-operative (PWC) and Wool Grower Holdings, are interested in working together to reposition New Zealand wool as a luxury, renewable fibre to command a higher export value, but they have been promoting rival brands of wool, Just Short and Laneve, on the international market.
Against this background PWC chairman, Bay de Lautour, said he had asked the directors of both co-operatives to meet. He told local media that he didn't want to raise expectations but that there had been some positive discussions. “For the good of farmers, we've got to be united here,” he said.
Wool Grower Holdings chairman, Jeff Grant, said the two groups planned to meet again next month. They were a long way from the point of discussing a merger, he insisted, but all options are on the table.
The common ground between them is the current low wool price.
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