The AWEX eastern market indicator (EMI) fell by 15¢/kg, ending the week at 723¢/kg, down by 2pc, but a bigger fall in Fremantle lowered the national average price decline to 2.4pc.

Falls the the regional indicators were:

• Newcastle's northern indicator, down 11¢, to close on 749¢/kg.

• Melbourne's southern indicator down 19¢/kg, to close on 702¢/kg.

• Fremantle's western indicator fell by 22¢, finishing the week at 693¢/kg.

In a three day sale in Newcastle and a two day sale in Melbourne, the EMI fell by 7¢ on Tuesday, by 9¢ on Wednesday and rose by 1¢ on Thursday.

The western indicator fell by 20¢ on Wednesday and by 2¢ on Thursday, in a two day sale in Fremantle.

The Australian Wool Industries Secretariat reports that 40,160 bales were on offer, compared with 40,485 bales last week, of which 19pc were passed in.

Another 8,260 bales (17pc) were withdrawn prior to sale and re-offered bales made up 13pc of this week's offering.

The US exchange rate fluctuated wildly again this week during the sale, with the Reserve Bank lowering official interest rates by 0.75pc, rather than the expected 0.5pc and changes in commodity prices.

The market finished on a firmer note on Thursday but there were falls over all micron ranges.

However, the good quality offering in Newcastle saw prices of 48,000c paid for one lot of 12.5 micron wool and 39,000c for a 12.6 micron lot.