Post by Tim Rose on Sept 14, 2008 20:11:12 GMT -5
2008-2009 Wild Fur Forecast
Last year FHA forecasted that wild fur sales would be strong if the power purchasing nations of Russia and China experienced a traditional winter. This was the case and everything fell beautifully into place. Prices increased on almost every article and clearances were exceptionally strong. The economic situation that currently exists in both Russia and China sees both countries enjoying tremendous growth. A growing population of new customers desiring luxury items such as wild fur.
The forecast for this year will be a mirror image of last season if once again winter comes in its traditional form across the top of the globe. Wild fur is in strong demand as last year’s prices on many items sold at FHA, hit highs and averages not seen in a few decades. The majority of the trade are looking at this coming season with the same optimism. As all of last year’s inventory of wild goods has been sold out. FHA achieved the highest averages anywhere in the world on items such as lynx and lynx cat. Not to mention the majority of our northern trappers averaged over $100 on sable. Otters once again seen competition with prices and clearances being viewed as very positive. Our May 2008 auction realized the strongest prices in the world on muskrat. As well May 2008 produced the best beaver sale to be found anywhere in the last few years. Beaver sold heavily into China and if these customers experience good results at the dressing plants, down through to manufacturing and retail sales we are back in the beaver business. Raccoon in May 2008 set the mark topping the year in averages and strong clearances. Fisher sold well and this item could see more action this coming year. Our wolf, wolverine and bear assortment is viewed as the finest in the world and this was reflected on the sales results throughout the year.
Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. began stepping up the international promotion pace beginning a few years ago. Attending international fur fairs in Russia, China, Hong Kong and Milan. Our team of young aggressive reps have done a brilliant job of drawing attention to Fur Harvesters, thus raising our profile and increasing our buyer attendance. This direction has proven most successful as last season we had more new accounts from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Dubai, China and turkey then ever before.
Our dominance in housing the finest northern wild goods is an internationally known fact now. Buyers old and new view our goods and promote their purchases in this fashion and out track record of happy customers and service is second to none. We are expecting to break several quantity records achieved this past season on the following articles: sable, lynx, lynx cat and raccoon. Our second sale of this season of March will allow more time for trappers from the far northern regions of Alaska, NWT, Yukon, Labrador, Ungava and such, to procure larger shipments.
We will be strongly promoting this fact as well at the Beijing, Hong Kong and Milan fairs as we are the only wild fur auction house strategically scheduled to sell after all these important fairs. If these fairs are as successful as last year, each and every shipper that has goods on our March auction will be smiling.
Everyone here at FHA North Bay looks to this coming season with great optimism. We look forward as well to receiving your shipments and servicing your needs be it fur marketing or trap supplies. We thank you for the confidence you put in us with each shipment. This we all take seriously.
Mark Downey
Chief Executive Officer
Fur Harvesters Auction Inc
BEAVER
Beaver have sparked higher levels due to China’s demand for larger sizes and heavier sections for trim. Long hair beavers have followed suit with increases as high as 20% over the previous year values. This article looks very promising, and should sell well in 2009.
WILD MINK
Wild mink has showed some resistance over the past several seasons. Limited quantities along with strong competition from ranch mink production with yields in excess of 55 million pelts produced last season, has hurt this article tremendously. Italy is still the major player on this article, with Russia buying larger sizes and heavier sections in hopes of generating some interest with new innovative fashion’s with sheared wild mink. Hopefully this will help but it might take some time.
SABLE
Sable sold extremely well last season, with the Northern Canadian sections selling phenomenally well, larger sizes and heavier qualities realizing better prices over the previous year. Sable will continue to sell well in the 2009 season, as it is very desirable as trim on expensive fur garments and outer ware which command the fashion runways overseas. China and Russia have driven the prices upward, and have recognized Fur Harvesters Auctions sable collection second to none in North America, with the finest offering from Alaska,Yukon, North West territories Ungava,and Labrador.
OTTER
Otter have seen some resistance over the past few years, due to China’s inactivity on this article. Traditional buying communities have taken a stand on this article, and we have sold 100% of last years goods at new levels. Otter will see improvement in the near future.
FISHER
Fisher prices will be firm or better than last years levels. Male fisher are a trim article, as the females are being utilized in high fashion garments. China, Russia, and Greece are the major players on this article.
MUSKRAT
Muskrat have realized a normal and stable price structure, with better sections and qualities selling at traditional levels. 2009 selling season will see some advances on this item.
RACCOON
Raccoon prices last year reached levels not seen in many years, China, Russia and Greece drove prices to new levels. Triple extra large and doubles will continue to sell at last years levels. AB colors and heavy section qualities will set the stage for 2009.
LYNX / BOBCAT
Both these items sold extremely well last season, and will continue through 2009. Better sections with heavy qualities and better colors will sell strong. Lynx and Bobcats with off color bellies and commercial qualities, will sell at reduced levels. Quality cats will be in strong demand in Russia as not only trim but full garments as well.
COYOTE
Prices have remained unchanged from last year. This article is mainly utilized for the trim trade, with the western sections of heavy and semi qualities selling readily. Eastern sections of this article are used mainly for very commercial strips, and will be sold at reduced levels.
RED FOX
Heavier quality sections of Red fox with good color will start the season off well. As the season progress paler colors and commercial qualities will be salable but at lower levels. Flatter sections will be at last years price structures, and may be difficult to market. China is a major player on the Red fox.
GREY FOX
Russia was the driving force two seasons ago on the Grey fox, this article is mainly used in the trim trade. Hopefully new fashion trends and innovative designs in Russia will jump start this item to new levels. Grey fox market is presently unchanged from last seasons levels.
TIMBER WOLF / WOLVERINE
Strong demand for large sizes and good quality taxidermy type skins. Unchanged from last season.
POLAR BEAR
Very strong demand for this article in larger sizes. Good quality and color will sell at last years levels or better.
WEASEL / SQUIRREL
Good demand for complete skins with tails.
Last year FHA forecasted that wild fur sales would be strong if the power purchasing nations of Russia and China experienced a traditional winter. This was the case and everything fell beautifully into place. Prices increased on almost every article and clearances were exceptionally strong. The economic situation that currently exists in both Russia and China sees both countries enjoying tremendous growth. A growing population of new customers desiring luxury items such as wild fur.
The forecast for this year will be a mirror image of last season if once again winter comes in its traditional form across the top of the globe. Wild fur is in strong demand as last year’s prices on many items sold at FHA, hit highs and averages not seen in a few decades. The majority of the trade are looking at this coming season with the same optimism. As all of last year’s inventory of wild goods has been sold out. FHA achieved the highest averages anywhere in the world on items such as lynx and lynx cat. Not to mention the majority of our northern trappers averaged over $100 on sable. Otters once again seen competition with prices and clearances being viewed as very positive. Our May 2008 auction realized the strongest prices in the world on muskrat. As well May 2008 produced the best beaver sale to be found anywhere in the last few years. Beaver sold heavily into China and if these customers experience good results at the dressing plants, down through to manufacturing and retail sales we are back in the beaver business. Raccoon in May 2008 set the mark topping the year in averages and strong clearances. Fisher sold well and this item could see more action this coming year. Our wolf, wolverine and bear assortment is viewed as the finest in the world and this was reflected on the sales results throughout the year.
Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. began stepping up the international promotion pace beginning a few years ago. Attending international fur fairs in Russia, China, Hong Kong and Milan. Our team of young aggressive reps have done a brilliant job of drawing attention to Fur Harvesters, thus raising our profile and increasing our buyer attendance. This direction has proven most successful as last season we had more new accounts from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Dubai, China and turkey then ever before.
Our dominance in housing the finest northern wild goods is an internationally known fact now. Buyers old and new view our goods and promote their purchases in this fashion and out track record of happy customers and service is second to none. We are expecting to break several quantity records achieved this past season on the following articles: sable, lynx, lynx cat and raccoon. Our second sale of this season of March will allow more time for trappers from the far northern regions of Alaska, NWT, Yukon, Labrador, Ungava and such, to procure larger shipments.
We will be strongly promoting this fact as well at the Beijing, Hong Kong and Milan fairs as we are the only wild fur auction house strategically scheduled to sell after all these important fairs. If these fairs are as successful as last year, each and every shipper that has goods on our March auction will be smiling.
Everyone here at FHA North Bay looks to this coming season with great optimism. We look forward as well to receiving your shipments and servicing your needs be it fur marketing or trap supplies. We thank you for the confidence you put in us with each shipment. This we all take seriously.
Mark Downey
Chief Executive Officer
Fur Harvesters Auction Inc
BEAVER
Beaver have sparked higher levels due to China’s demand for larger sizes and heavier sections for trim. Long hair beavers have followed suit with increases as high as 20% over the previous year values. This article looks very promising, and should sell well in 2009.
WILD MINK
Wild mink has showed some resistance over the past several seasons. Limited quantities along with strong competition from ranch mink production with yields in excess of 55 million pelts produced last season, has hurt this article tremendously. Italy is still the major player on this article, with Russia buying larger sizes and heavier sections in hopes of generating some interest with new innovative fashion’s with sheared wild mink. Hopefully this will help but it might take some time.
SABLE
Sable sold extremely well last season, with the Northern Canadian sections selling phenomenally well, larger sizes and heavier qualities realizing better prices over the previous year. Sable will continue to sell well in the 2009 season, as it is very desirable as trim on expensive fur garments and outer ware which command the fashion runways overseas. China and Russia have driven the prices upward, and have recognized Fur Harvesters Auctions sable collection second to none in North America, with the finest offering from Alaska,Yukon, North West territories Ungava,and Labrador.
OTTER
Otter have seen some resistance over the past few years, due to China’s inactivity on this article. Traditional buying communities have taken a stand on this article, and we have sold 100% of last years goods at new levels. Otter will see improvement in the near future.
FISHER
Fisher prices will be firm or better than last years levels. Male fisher are a trim article, as the females are being utilized in high fashion garments. China, Russia, and Greece are the major players on this article.
MUSKRAT
Muskrat have realized a normal and stable price structure, with better sections and qualities selling at traditional levels. 2009 selling season will see some advances on this item.
RACCOON
Raccoon prices last year reached levels not seen in many years, China, Russia and Greece drove prices to new levels. Triple extra large and doubles will continue to sell at last years levels. AB colors and heavy section qualities will set the stage for 2009.
LYNX / BOBCAT
Both these items sold extremely well last season, and will continue through 2009. Better sections with heavy qualities and better colors will sell strong. Lynx and Bobcats with off color bellies and commercial qualities, will sell at reduced levels. Quality cats will be in strong demand in Russia as not only trim but full garments as well.
COYOTE
Prices have remained unchanged from last year. This article is mainly utilized for the trim trade, with the western sections of heavy and semi qualities selling readily. Eastern sections of this article are used mainly for very commercial strips, and will be sold at reduced levels.
RED FOX
Heavier quality sections of Red fox with good color will start the season off well. As the season progress paler colors and commercial qualities will be salable but at lower levels. Flatter sections will be at last years price structures, and may be difficult to market. China is a major player on the Red fox.
GREY FOX
Russia was the driving force two seasons ago on the Grey fox, this article is mainly used in the trim trade. Hopefully new fashion trends and innovative designs in Russia will jump start this item to new levels. Grey fox market is presently unchanged from last seasons levels.
TIMBER WOLF / WOLVERINE
Strong demand for large sizes and good quality taxidermy type skins. Unchanged from last season.
POLAR BEAR
Very strong demand for this article in larger sizes. Good quality and color will sell at last years levels or better.
WEASEL / SQUIRREL
Good demand for complete skins with tails.
