Australian wool prices slipped slightly in the last week, which included two Australian sale days and a special auction in New Zealand.
The Australian Wool Exchange's Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) fell by 3 cents to 648 cents a kg clean.
Prices eased this week in all three Australian sales regions with 4 cent losses in the west and south and 2 cent losses in the north, AWEX said. Prices remained firm in US dollar terms after gains against the American and Japanese currencies, but losses against the euro, during the week.
A strong close to the market on Thursday was encouraging after disappointing price falls in October and early November, the Australian Wool Industries Secretariat said on Friday.
Merino fleece types this week opened reasonably well in Sydney on Wednesday, but were weaker in Melbourne and Fremantle.
The market steadied on Thursday, with some recovery in western sales, it said.
Buyers for China were again dominant, with stronger support also from Europe.
A total of 51,289 bales were offered, with 12.5 percent passed in.
A special sale was held in New Zealand on Tuesday replacing the normal Australian sale and shortening Australian sales to two days.
Sales will be held next week in Newcastle, Melbourne and Fremantle, with 54,759 bales rostered for sale.