Mink Firm to Higher in Seattle, Wild Furs Go Slightly Easier, Hong Kong, Greece Dominate, Seal Harvest Below Quota..., Battle with EU Continues

A LAST-CHANCE SITUATION CONTRIBUTED TO PUSHING PRICES OF MINK TO SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN MARCH LEVELS LAST WEEK AT AMERICAN LEGEND’S FINAL SALE FOR THIS YEAR. At the same time, a weaker, yearend wild fur collection resulted in an easing of prices in the Fur Harvesters Auction, which preceded the mink sale in Seattle. Hong Kong/China and Greece/Russia did the bulk of the buying at both sales, helping to generate a high rate of turnover. The companies offered breeders and lowgrades along with regular qualities and reported prices of those goods were high in relation to the better skins.

MINK HAD BEEN EXPECTED TO EASE, FOLLOWING THE PATTERN SET AT THE MOST RECENT SALES IN HELSINKI AND COPENHAGEN, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE MUCH LARGER COLLECTION COMING UP THIS WEEK IN TORONTO. However, the limited size of the Legend offering, as well as the last chance this year to obtain certain labeled goods – such as Blackglama – that are important to some manufacturers, evidently contributed to the strength. That Greek buyers were as active as they were – primarily for their Russian accounts – may also be attributable to the success of their recent fair in Kastoria, as well as the previous one in Athens. In addition, there are buyers who wait for the lowgrades and are willing to pay relatively higher prices because they know how to handle them efficiently. Mink prices, at least for the ranchers who sold last week, remain at their highest levels ever, another good year for producers.

THE WILD FURS HAD BEEN EXPECTED TO EASE, ESPECIALLY THE MARTENS, BECAUSE OF THE WEAKENING OF SABLE PRICES AT THE RECENT SALE IN ST. PETERSBURG. Prices of the Canadian martens, company officials have acknowledged, tend to follow Russian leads. Wild furs used as trimmings, on the other hand, had been expected to remain firm as a reflection of the continued popularity of trims on fur, leather and cloth garments, as well as accessories.

THIS YEAR’S HARP SEAL HARVEST OFF THE CANADIAN COAST IS OVER, BUT THE POLITICAL BATTLE OVER THE EUROPEAN UNION’S BAN ON SEAL PRODUCTS IS STILL HOT. A recent development was Canada’s blocking of observer status for the EU on the eight-nation Arctic Council, where southern nations are seeking a greater role in the race to extract the Arctic’s vast oil, iron and other mineral deposits. Canada had just taken the rotating helm at the ministerial summit of the circumpolar organization and blocked the EU because of the seal dispute. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq was named leader for the next two years and, as a Conservative MP from Nunavut, has served notice that she will make a concerted effort to put the needs and priorities of northerners – especially indigenous peoples – first. The council consists of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and the U.S. Observer status, without voting rights, was granted to China, India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, but not to the EU.

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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