The American Wool Council (AWC) is a division of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), which is a non-profit organisation that works to improve the American wool industry and promote the use of American wool in both domestic and international markets.
Overview
As the largest division of the ASI, the AWC works to strengthen the American wool industry and support the use of American wool domestically and internationally.
The American Wool Council oversees wool promotion activities made possible by the Wool Trust Fund; a program which assists U.S. producers to improve the quality of wool produced in America and supports them in the development and promotion of the wool market. The primary areas of this program are: quality improvement, including new technology, market accessibility, market information, wool production and quality assurance; market research and promotion; and communication.
The export market is becoming increasingly important for U.S. wool producers. As a result, the AWC has expanded its work in the international marketplace to ensure that buyers around the world are aware of the quality and availability of American wool.
American Wool Council’s mission
The AWC is focused on achieving three primary objectives.
To improve the quality of U.S. wool through promoting technological innovation, ensuring low barriers to market entry and information accessibility for producers, and supporting quality assurance through wool production standards.
To supply wool market research and promotion through resources for both producers and consumers highlighting topics such as the value and sustainability of the U.S. wool industry. Supporting research on the wool market and wool fabrics to discover new ways for both producers and consumers to unlock the full potential of wool.
To clearly communicate the economic, social and environmental benefits of U.S. wool production and consumption, ranging from wool processing to wool products to wool sustainability, raising awareness of the importance of wool for the domestic production market and its future in contributing to environmentally-conscious patterns of consumption.
Wool sector
As of the 31st of January 2023, there were more than five million head of sheep across America. Spanning all 50 states, sheep farming and wool production is a major source of employment and huge generator of U.S. income. The most prolific sheep-producing states are located west of the Mississippi River where the majority of larger sheep ranches can be found. A greater number of smaller, pasture-based sheep producers can be found in the eastern part of the country.
In 2022, the U.S. produced an estimated 22.2 million pounds of wool. In the past, American-based textile mills were the main customers for U.S. wool producers. However, over the last 25 years, there has been a major shift in this dynamic, with many U.S. textiles mills either closing their operations or moving their production facilities overseas. As a result, American wool producers have become increasingly reliant on export markets to drive consumption.
To find out more about AWC, visit https://www.americanwool.org/
