Post by trapp on Nov 17, 2012 13:11:53 GMT -5
.
www.nafa.ca/10516
Strong Wild Fur Prospects for 2013
November 9, 2012
We are very pleased to report that this past month was the busiest October for wild fur sales we have had in many, many years. After a somewhat disappointing May sale where percentages of sale and prices dropped from the very successful February levels, we have now had the best recovery that we can remember. We have now sold all of the unsold muskrats (100,000), over 8,000 otters, the remainder of the fishers, red fox, nearly all of the coyotes and the remaining unsold sundry owner raccoon. With the exception of beaver and 680 coyotes (which potential buyers have taken samples of), we are completely sold out. What a truly a remarkable finish to the season!
Early snowfalls in Northeast China and Russia started the retail season at a better than expected pace. While your NAFA promotional team was travelling in the Northeast of China the first snowfall was a pleasant surprise to all fur retailers. If colder than usual weather continues in these two important markets it will certainly help create optimum conditions for another successful selling season.
The outlook at this time for most of our wild fur products is excellent and is the foundation for another outstanding February sale. The ongoing European debt crisis and the overall financial weakness in the Western markets seems to have little effect, so far, on the fur business in China, where sales remain very strong.
China now has become by far the most important consumer of fur garments, followed by Russia and to a lesser extent, Korea. Our North American and European markets have seen a reduction in the sale of fur garments, but the trim trade is reporting a very strong demand.
NAFA’s expected increased quantities in some of our wild fur varieties, as well as an increased offering of ranch mink, are making us one of the most attractive and fastest growing auction companies in the world. Already we have indications from all major markets that we should have another record attendance at our February sale. To put it in a nutshell, if everything stays the same, our February auction will be a producer’s delight.
Based on information that we have obtained from our major customers and with input from our agents worldwide, we are forecasting the following per article.
Raccoon – Western Heavy Northern and North Central raccoon are in strong demand by the trim trade. Clearer/better colours (described in our catalogue as 2-3) will continue to fetch premiums, but with the new dressing and dyeing techniques, off colours (described as 4 or 5 in our catalogue) are expected to advance in price. Other sections are expected to advance as the international trade will recognize that most raccoon are undervalued when considering the price per square inch. The accessory business that the NAFA Northern Lights program has been promoting will have a greater impact on both demand and price.
Muskrats – The strong demand will continue. Prices will advance from our May levels, and could very well go back to, or exceed February levels. Again, price levels established for ranch mink will have a heavy influence on the muskrat price. For those who want to sell early, we will provide you with an opportunity in January.
Beaver – The sharply increased prices we obtained in February made the beaver more expensive than other comparable articles that compete with this item in price at the wholesale or retails level; the result was lower prices and clearances for our May Sale. Although we still have beaver that remain unsold at this time, we believe demand will improve as we move into the retail season and that we will sell Beaver 100% in our February sale at May levels.
Coyote – All of last year’s coyotes have been sold, reflecting a very strong trim trade. North America and Europe are the major takers of coyote. Trim and retail sales have been very good to date. We expect a very strong opening of coyote prices, especially for Heavy Western, most likely in or around our February levels.
Red Fox – Last year’s prices and 100% clearances should be expected for this article, with the heavier sections going for trim and the flatter sections for accessories. China was the largest taker of fox this past season and needs large quantities to satisfy their needs.
Grey Fox – Continued good demand at last year’s prices, with 100% clearances.
Otter – China has recently become active again in this article. This time, however, they are being used as a sheared and dyed product for both men and women’s coats. This new usage will encourage more competition, which should result in increased prices.
Wild Mink – Ranch mink is expected to do very well and so, therefore, will our wild mink.
Sable – The upper end of the Russian trim market has done very well and sables are being used to trim black mink coats that are manufactured from the top end of the North American black mink. This combination has done very well. Other markets including China are also reporting excellent demand for sable. We are expecting another outstanding season, particularly in February.
Lynx and Lynx Cat – The better colours of the lynx and lynx cats are used for the same black mink garments as the sable and again the high end of the Russian fur market is doing well. Lynx cats should have an exceptionally good season with all sections selling well. Premiums will again be paid for better colour lynx.
Fisher – The female fisher market has done very well and continues to do well. Male fisher are mostly used for trimming, but unfortunately there is not enough quantity to encourage manufacturers to put this into their lines
It is our very large quantities that make it possible for NAFA to put together an assortment that fills the requirements of the international fur buyer. Remember there are 1.3 billion people living in China – two or three million raccoon sounds like a lot, but in proportion to this population, it is very little. For this reason, the Chinese buyer who represents huge factories, prefers to buy large strings of the same size, quality and colour, which in wild fur, he can only find at NAFA.
Herman Jansen
Managing Director
www.nafa.ca/10516
Strong Wild Fur Prospects for 2013
November 9, 2012
We are very pleased to report that this past month was the busiest October for wild fur sales we have had in many, many years. After a somewhat disappointing May sale where percentages of sale and prices dropped from the very successful February levels, we have now had the best recovery that we can remember. We have now sold all of the unsold muskrats (100,000), over 8,000 otters, the remainder of the fishers, red fox, nearly all of the coyotes and the remaining unsold sundry owner raccoon. With the exception of beaver and 680 coyotes (which potential buyers have taken samples of), we are completely sold out. What a truly a remarkable finish to the season!
Early snowfalls in Northeast China and Russia started the retail season at a better than expected pace. While your NAFA promotional team was travelling in the Northeast of China the first snowfall was a pleasant surprise to all fur retailers. If colder than usual weather continues in these two important markets it will certainly help create optimum conditions for another successful selling season.
The outlook at this time for most of our wild fur products is excellent and is the foundation for another outstanding February sale. The ongoing European debt crisis and the overall financial weakness in the Western markets seems to have little effect, so far, on the fur business in China, where sales remain very strong.
China now has become by far the most important consumer of fur garments, followed by Russia and to a lesser extent, Korea. Our North American and European markets have seen a reduction in the sale of fur garments, but the trim trade is reporting a very strong demand.
NAFA’s expected increased quantities in some of our wild fur varieties, as well as an increased offering of ranch mink, are making us one of the most attractive and fastest growing auction companies in the world. Already we have indications from all major markets that we should have another record attendance at our February sale. To put it in a nutshell, if everything stays the same, our February auction will be a producer’s delight.
Based on information that we have obtained from our major customers and with input from our agents worldwide, we are forecasting the following per article.
Raccoon – Western Heavy Northern and North Central raccoon are in strong demand by the trim trade. Clearer/better colours (described in our catalogue as 2-3) will continue to fetch premiums, but with the new dressing and dyeing techniques, off colours (described as 4 or 5 in our catalogue) are expected to advance in price. Other sections are expected to advance as the international trade will recognize that most raccoon are undervalued when considering the price per square inch. The accessory business that the NAFA Northern Lights program has been promoting will have a greater impact on both demand and price.
Muskrats – The strong demand will continue. Prices will advance from our May levels, and could very well go back to, or exceed February levels. Again, price levels established for ranch mink will have a heavy influence on the muskrat price. For those who want to sell early, we will provide you with an opportunity in January.
Beaver – The sharply increased prices we obtained in February made the beaver more expensive than other comparable articles that compete with this item in price at the wholesale or retails level; the result was lower prices and clearances for our May Sale. Although we still have beaver that remain unsold at this time, we believe demand will improve as we move into the retail season and that we will sell Beaver 100% in our February sale at May levels.
Coyote – All of last year’s coyotes have been sold, reflecting a very strong trim trade. North America and Europe are the major takers of coyote. Trim and retail sales have been very good to date. We expect a very strong opening of coyote prices, especially for Heavy Western, most likely in or around our February levels.
Red Fox – Last year’s prices and 100% clearances should be expected for this article, with the heavier sections going for trim and the flatter sections for accessories. China was the largest taker of fox this past season and needs large quantities to satisfy their needs.
Grey Fox – Continued good demand at last year’s prices, with 100% clearances.
Otter – China has recently become active again in this article. This time, however, they are being used as a sheared and dyed product for both men and women’s coats. This new usage will encourage more competition, which should result in increased prices.
Wild Mink – Ranch mink is expected to do very well and so, therefore, will our wild mink.
Sable – The upper end of the Russian trim market has done very well and sables are being used to trim black mink coats that are manufactured from the top end of the North American black mink. This combination has done very well. Other markets including China are also reporting excellent demand for sable. We are expecting another outstanding season, particularly in February.
Lynx and Lynx Cat – The better colours of the lynx and lynx cats are used for the same black mink garments as the sable and again the high end of the Russian fur market is doing well. Lynx cats should have an exceptionally good season with all sections selling well. Premiums will again be paid for better colour lynx.
Fisher – The female fisher market has done very well and continues to do well. Male fisher are mostly used for trimming, but unfortunately there is not enough quantity to encourage manufacturers to put this into their lines
It is our very large quantities that make it possible for NAFA to put together an assortment that fills the requirements of the international fur buyer. Remember there are 1.3 billion people living in China – two or three million raccoon sounds like a lot, but in proportion to this population, it is very little. For this reason, the Chinese buyer who represents huge factories, prefers to buy large strings of the same size, quality and colour, which in wild fur, he can only find at NAFA.
Herman Jansen
Managing Director