Elders Shifts WA Wool Operations to Melbourne
- Elders Limited has announced it will cease its wool handling and selling operations within Western Australia, transitioning these services to its facility in Melbourne starting in July 2027.
- According to Elders, wool production in Western Australia has decreased by nearly 40 per cent in recent years.
- Beginning in July 2027, all Western Australian wool handled by Elders will be received, processed, and sold through the company's Ravenhall facility in Melbourne.
Elders Limited has announced it will cease its wool handling and selling operations within Western Australia, transitioning these services to its facility in Melbourne starting in July 2027. The company cited a significant and sustained decline in wool production volumes in Western Australia as the primary driver for the relocation.
According to Elders, wool production in Western Australia has decreased by nearly 40 per cent in recent years. The company stated that this decline raised concerns regarding the long-term viability of maintaining local handling operations at current volumes.
Transition to Melbourne Operations
Beginning in July 2027, all Western Australian wool handled by Elders will be received, processed, and sold through the company’s Ravenhall facility in Melbourne. The Ravenhall site is a 24-hour processing operation that opened in 2024 following a $25 million investment, which Elders describes as the largest single investment in wool infrastructure this century.
Elders indicated that the move is intended to ensure growers maintain access to strong buying competition and consistent weekly auction access. Melbourne is the largest weekly wool selling center in the world, accounting for more than half of Australia’s total weekly wool sales and hosting approximately 27 active buyers.
Dave Adamson, Elders General Manager Operations
Transitioning WA wool handling and selling to Melbourne ensures growers continue to benefit from strong buying competition, efficient processing and consistent weekly auction access, despite the significant decline in local production volumes.
The company claims the depth and diversity of the Melbourne market provides greater demand across all wool types, ranging from cardings to superfine fleece.
Industry Impact and Local Response
Elders has operated in the Western Australian wool market for more than 100 years. While We find currently six different wool brokers operating in the state, the withdrawal of a major handler like Elders has drawn concern from some industry members.
Brad Faithfull, owner and director of Westcoast Wool and Livestock, told the ABC that the departure of Elders from the Western Australian wool selling market would have industry-wide impacts. Some industry members have suggested that moving wool outside of the state is not a viable option for local growers.
Strategic Objectives
In communications to clients, Elders Limited stated that the shift to Victoria is designed to achieve several operational goals:
- Increasing the speed to market for growers.
- Boosting buyer competition.
- Strengthening long-term industry sustainability.
Dave Adamson described the decision as a proactive and grower first approach
, asserting that the priority is to act in the best interests of the company’s clients.