The low cost of synthetic fibers in the market has led to an increased preference for garments made from these materials, resulting in a crisis in the wool industry over the past few decades.
Miguel Madeira, a producer and vice-president of ACOS – Associação de Agricultores do Sul, notes that the wool crisis “began in the 1970s,” but has been exacerbated recently by European industrial policies. “Industries have gradually moved abroad, particularly to China, and today we find ourselves without facilities to wash wool or facing significant difficulties in finding a washing facility,” he explains.
This necessity forces producers and associations to look to countries like Uruguay and Spain for washing services, which is the “first operation after shearing and packaging,” he adds.
The ACOS technician also recalls the “sanitary embargo” imposed by China that prevented Portugal and Spain from exporting unwashed wool to the country, stating that the interruption of trade routes harmed the sector.
“Currently, the situation is resolved. We can now send wool to China, but the re-establishment of trade routes doesn’t happen instantly; it takes time,” he emphasizes.
This waning interest in the sector has led to a gradual and sporadic sale “of some wool” and, consequently, to its accumulation “at producers’ homes” or in warehouses of associations and buyers.
Nevertheless, Miguel Madeira mentions that this year, there is “some light at the end of the tunnel,” as there are producers already operating, “but still at prices significantly lower than the cost of shearing.”
On average, the sheep farmer explains, the price paid for shearing ranges “between 1.89 and two euros,” while a sheep produces about two kilograms of wool, which “still falls short” if the product is sold “at 35 or 40 cents.”
Ultimately, “it is an additional burden for the producer,” he highlights.
Miguel Madeira believes that the solution for the sector lies in continuing to add value to the product through experiments or pilot projects, such as transforming wool into ‘pellets’ incorporated into the soil for fertilization.
“Our goal is to continue valuing [the wool], because we know it has potential,” he reinforces.
On October 24 of the previous year, the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV) announced that Portugal could resume the export of unwashed wool to the People’s Republic of China from that date, following the signing of the relevant protocol between the two countries.
