ABC: Japanese wool giant closes
In a move that has shocked the wool industry, one of the world's leading wool traders will close down within six months. The Japanese company, Itochu Wool, began operating in Australia in 1957. It became the largest buyer of wool at Australian auctions in the 1960s and held that position for the next 40 years. But the Itochu Corporation has now announced its wool arm will be liquidated. Australian Wool Growers Association's Martin Oppenheimer blames declining wool production and poor industry leadership. "It's certainly a sad day for the wool industry, and it's certainly a sign of decline and we've really got to address this issue of sheep numbers and wool production," he said...more...