Greek Crisis Stirs Fears, …but Major Mfrs. Still OK, U.S. Imports Up in March

AT THIS POINT, MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY IN THE FUR-ORIENTED TOWNS IN NORTHERN GREECE IS DESCRIBED AS NORMAL. The recent fair in Kastoria, as previously reported, was regarded as successful, as was the new one in Athens a month earlier, both powered by a large Russian attendance that left healthy orders. Last week, the Kastorian Fur Association, which organized the latest event, disclosed that the business increased about 30% over a year ago. Asked about the dates for next year’s fair, officials said that would be announced in another week or so. There also were reports (SPR, May 14) that the town is considering building a larger, more modern exhibition center to accommodate a bigger fair next year, which could account for the uncertainty of the timing. The number of hotels there already has increased.

IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG/CHINA – THE LARGEST SUPPLIER TO THE U.S. – ROSE 37% IN THE LATEST MONTH TO A TOTAL OF $981,000 . That included $599,000 in mink, up 41%, and $382,000 in other furs, up 31%. For the three-month period, China shipped a total of just under $3 million, down 16%. That consisted of $1.6 million in mink, off 36%, and $1.4 million in other furs, up 34%. A comparison with previous years shows that China has developed from a supplier solely of mink products to one that is now producing and shipping a greater variety of fur products. That incursion into wild furs has impacted on the traditional reliance by American retailers on Canadian manufacturers for their expertise in wild goods and that has been showing up in the import statistics.

IN ADDITION TO THE CREATIVITY IN PRODUCTION, THE REPORT NOTES, THERE ALSO HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION IN THE NUMBER OF AUCTION CUSTOMERS IN FUR GARMENT PRODUCTION AS WELL AS IN RETAIL. “With more factories, there will be a growing need for more skins and, with more shops, a growing demand for fur garments. The next big challenge will be to sell all the extra garments. We must keep our fingers crossed for a cold winter.”

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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