The benchmark AWEX eastern market indicator rose by six cents a kilogram (+0.7pc) to finish the week at 890c/kg (clean).

However, region by region the results were not consistent:

* the northern market indicator fell 2c/kg (-0.2pc) to close at 925c/kg;

* the southern indicator rose 12c/kg (+1.4pc) to hit 861c/kg; and

* the western indicator fell by 3c/kg (-0.3pc), finishing the week at 865c/kg.

According to the Australian Wool Industries Secretariat, there were 46,694 bales were on offer, compared to 48,646 bales last week, of which 14.4pc were passed in.

Pass-in rates for Merino fleece and skirtings were 16.2pc and 13.7pc, respectively.

Another 3816 bales (7.6pc) were withdrawn prior to sale, while re-offered bales made up 18.1pc of this week's offering.

The re-offer rate was almost 20pc of the offering for the second week in a row.

There was some keen bidding for a limited selection of good quality 16.5-17.5 micron wool, with good staple measurement values, which created a significant lift in their average Micron Price Guides (MPGs).

Other Merino micron ranges were generally up, or unchanged, except for 22 and 23 microns whose MPGs eased by 10c/kg and 5c/kg respectively.

Buyers for China were dominant, with a strong presence from buyers for Europe and for India.