According to Australian Wool Innovation Ltd., Western Europe's imports of raw fibre (greasy, scoured and carbonised wool) from all countries fell slightly during 2004 compared with 2003. Imports of wool top and other semi-processed wool also fell during the period.

The first quarter of 2005 offered no improvement with shipments of raw and semi-processed (mainly apparel type) wool from Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Uruguay lower in volume compared with the same period in the previous year.

Australia accounted for the lion's share of greasy, scoured and carbonised wool imported from countries outside Western Europe during 2004, increasing its share at the expense of South American apparel fibre suppliers.