Product intelligence · HS 510111 · 2024 data

Wool: (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn

Global exports of wool: (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn totalled $2,208,802,020 in 2024, a -5.8% change from the previous year. Traded by 86 countries across 475 bilateral corridors, with demand from 82 importing markets. The long-term trend is declining.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$2.2B

-5.8% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

-6.9%

5Y: -4.9%

Supply structure

Concentrated

HHI 0.579

Volatility

Low

Score 6/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, wool: (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn trade exhibited significant decline, with global flows reaching $2,208,802,020 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of -6.9% (five-year: -4.9%). The all-time peak of $3,677,118,012 was recorded in 2018; the current level is 40% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 45% of years recorded positive growth, indicating significant cyclicality with frequent contractions. Trend momentum is decelerating (-4.5% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies wool: (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn as "One-way trade" in the medium price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is concentrated (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.579). The three largest exporters — Australia ($1.7B), South Africa ($240.9M), and New Zealand ($123.2M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at -7.4% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is concentrated (HHI 0.707). The three largest import markets are China ($1.9B), Italy ($95.7M), and India ($93.3M). The largest importing market sources from 23 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -33.37. Buyers are highly price-sensitive and can switch between suppliers relatively easily.

The dominant trade corridor is Australia → China at $1.5B, representing 79.2% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for wool: (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn is 6 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, contracting demand signals caution before committing resources. The concentrated supply structure suggests high barriers but also potential opportunity if dominant suppliers face disruption or capacity constraints.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $3,677,118,012 in 2018. Currently 40% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$2,771,765,313-1.5%
2016$2,808,956,542+1.3%
2017$3,317,964,793+18.1%
2018$3,677,118,012+10.8%
2019$2,840,155,112-22.8%
2020$1,867,444,662-34.2%
2021$2,738,577,791+46.6%
2022$2,570,863,297-6.1%
2023$2,343,934,312-8.8%
2024$2,208,802,020-5.8%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of wool: (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn in 2024.

View all 86 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for wool: (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn.

View all 82 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for wool: (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1AustraliaChina$1.5B-7.2%
2South AfricaChina$171.6M-6.5%
3New ZealandChina$85.1M-1.4%
4AustraliaIndia$80.0M+2.9%
5AustraliaItaly$62.8M-13.2%
6UruguayChina$40.9M+20.7%
7AustraliaCzechia$28.1M-24.0%
8South AfricaGermany$25.5M+17.2%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

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Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.