THE price of Scottish wool has spiralled amid the Covid pandemic and the rise of fast fashion – with producers saying it is now “ridiculously undervalued”.
Farmers and crofters have received hundreds of millions of pounds in lifeline payments from the Scottish Government amid the difficulties caused by coronavirus.
It comes amid a decline in the use of wool in clothing as synthetic fibres have grown in use as a mass-produced alternative, meaning less money for producers to cover their costs.
Crofter Shona Macdonald has been left devastated by the state of affairs for the industry.
She told the BBC: "We sent away six large sacks containing 215kg of wool and we were informed we would be getting £5.22.
"I am well aware of the huge benefits of wool – the amazing properties it has – and how ridiculously undervalued it has become.
"This year has been the lowest yet and it is really upsetting."
Prices are so low that some crofters have decided it is not even worth sending wool away, instead burning or burying the wool, storing it in the hopes prices go up or using it as mulch, the BBC also reported.
National Farmers Union Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: "The price has gone through the floor.
"Forty to 50 years ago, the wool cheque would pay the rent for the farm for the whole year or pay a shepherd's wage for a year.
"Now it doesn't pay to get the wool off the sheep's back."
Producers have suggested that wool could be used as insulation and called for government support.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "This year, we paid out more than £530m to farmers and crofters by June 30, 2021, including lifeline payments to farmers and crofters in Scotland's most remote and rural areas from the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme.
"These payments provide a welcome boost to incomes during these difficult times.
"We are aware of the challenges faced by the British Wool Board, as a result of the pandemic and other impacting factors, which have led to very low wool prices.
"We continue to monitor the situation closely and support those who most need it during these unprecedented times."
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