There are many breeds of sheep that produce wool, which can be broadly classified into British wool, Merino wool, crossbred wool, and carpet wool. Wool-producing regions include Australia, New Zealand, South America, Russia, China, Central Asia, and many other parts of the world. The characteristics of raw wool vary greatly depending on the breed of sheep and region of origin.
Merino sheep account for approximately 40% of the world’s wool production, and in Australia, Merino wool represents 75% of total output. Merino wool is prized for its consistently fine fiber diameter—significantly finer than that of other breeds—and its uniform crimp, making it one of the most representative and widely used types of wool for clothing.
