N.A. Mink Ends on High Note, Prices Near Record Levels, $100 Overall Average Seen, Banner Year for Ranchers, Wild Furs also Strong

THE AUCTION HAMMER HAS FALLEN FOR THE LAST TIME ON THIS YEAR’S SUPPLY OF NORTH AMERICAN MINK AND, DESPITE SOME EASING IN CERTAIN AREAS, PRICES IN GENERAL REMAIN AT OR CLOSE TO THEIR ALL-TIME PEAKS. North American Fur Auctions ended the season last week recording prices that were largely on a par with or slightly easier than those posted a week earlier by American Legend and both were not far from the historic levels achieved in February. With the bulk of this year’s world mink supply now in the distribution channels, there remain only Scandinavian and other European pelts to meet anticipated needs for the coming retail season.

FOR MINK RANCHERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN THIS IS LIKELY TO GO DOWN IN THE BOOKS AS ANOTHER BANNER YEAR IN TERMS OF PROFIT. It wasn’t always this way. In fact, many have struggled for years to keep their heads above water and it wasn’t until the past decade that their returns began edging up ahead of their rising costs and only in the past three years moved into record territory. The average male/female price of North American goods sold at auction last year hit $94.30, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. This year’s statistics won’t be available until next month, but it’s considered a safe bet that the average will be about $100 or better. And European mink won’t be far behind, since the production of shortnapped mink in Scandinavia and elsewhere has been increasing steadily and narrowing the price gap with American skins.

THE INTERNATIONAL FUR TRADE FEDERATION IS OBJECTING TO A NEW LABELING REQUIREMENT BY THE EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSION. The new regulation, on consumer products safety, proposes a label with country of origin specified as the country where the last economic substantial process took place. The European Parliament and European Council are to discuss the proposal this year and next, for it to take effect in 2015. IFTF’s Brussels office monitors such developments closely and seeks to have the country of origin qualification eliminated. As proposed, a fur product consisting of fur farmed in Europe could be labeled “Made in China”, simply because the final parts of the garment took place there.

Sandy Parker Reports is weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for over 45 years. For the last 33 years he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of all the major international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements within the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it.

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