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You are here: Home / Fur Market / 2023 Fur Prices: Spring Update

2023 Fur Prices: Spring Update

April 1, 2023 by Jeremiah 12 Comments

NOTE: This is not the latest Fur Market Update. Click here for Trapping Today’s 2023-2024 Fur Market Forecast and prices.

The true state of the 2023 fur market has finally come to the surface, with the majority of state fur auctions and regional fur buying having taken place, and the Fur Harvesters March auction coming to a close. In short, the fur market is in a bifurcated state: it’s good and it’s bad – depending on the species you’re looking at. This year there’s been a dramatic difference between the higher and lower ends in the market. The bottom line is that if there’s a fashion-related demand for an item, or the item is available in very low quantities, the price is high. For everything else, there’s barely a market and prices are poor. Let’s get into the details.

Beaver

Beaver is by far the hottest item in the fur market right now. Many years of rock bottom prices for beaver pelts have resulted in low trapper effort, low harvest and fewer pelts on the market. A recent spike in demand for felt in the hatter market has increased the number of pelts needed in this poorly supplied market, and beaver prices have shot up as a result.

The felt (hatter) market does not require a prime or long haired beaver pelt, and so most of the hatter beaver were the lower grades and damaged beavers. These were traditionally the lowest priced beaver pelts on the market. With the spike in demand, brought on partially by the increased popularity of Stetson-type cowboy hats, Fedora hats and others, every class of beaver pelt is in play as a hatter.

The overall average for beaver pelts in the FHA March 2023 auction was $30, with 100% clearance of the offering! Even more importantly, there was little disparity between the low end and high end – hatter type beaver averaged just as good as high quality northern beaver. This means that for the first time in perhaps a generation, a southern trapper could see a $30 average for beaver pelts.

Now is a great time to be a beaver trapper! It’s unclear how long this trend will last, but take advantage of it while you can!

Castor

Unfortunately, that sky high price we’ve been seeing for beaver castor the past few years has taken quite a fall. Instead of those $60-100/lb averages, you’ll be looking at $25-50 per pound for castor.

Mink

Unlike beaver, there’s no fashion demand for mink right now, and with all of the low priced ranch mink on the market, much of the wild mink offering can’t even catch a bid. Mink prices are averaging about $3.50.

Raccoon

The raccoon market has been weak for a while, and only the best quality and largest sizes have any demand. The best Western and Canadian raccoon are averaging $7-9, with Eastern collections bringing about $2 on average. The lack of demand in China and Russia have impacted this market.

Otter

There’s good demand for otter pelts, and prices have increased from recent levels. Otter pelts are bringing about $30 on average, with size and color being a major factor.

Muskrat

There is demand for muskrat pelts, but not at prices many had hoped for. Fur Harvesters offered about a quarter million muskrat pelts at their March 2023 sale, but most didn’t sell because buyers didn’t bid at the minimum prices the auction house felt the rat pelts commanded. A lack of international buyers in the market has certainly influenced the price of rat pelts and I don’t expect this to change anytime soon. Averages of $2-3 can be expected for now.

Coyote

As predicted many times here at Trapping Today over the past two years, the coyote market has collapsed. The deterioration of the trendy Canada Goose type parka with fur-lined hoods has made it difficult to move any but the best western heavy coyotes. The top end coyotes are fetching around $30-40 on average, but demand drops off a cliff for any other grade of coyote. Eastern, Central and Southern coyotes are almost unsellable, with averages of $5-15 for the few lots that are selling.

Red Fox, Grey Fox

Foxes continue to sell, but the item continues to struggle due to limited demand. There’s just no fashion trend or commercial use that needs a lot of fox pelts. Prices are ranging from $5-15, similar to past years.

Bobcat

Bobcat pelt prices are holding up well. Although the top end Western bobcats have declined from their sky high prices of a few years ago, they are only available in limited quantities and buyers still want those fully-furred pelts with white, spotted bellies. Western bobcats averaged $300 at the most recent auction. What is most encouraging, however, is that the lower end bobcat pelts are doing so well. Northern bobcat pelts outside of the Western market are averaging around $100 or better. Southern bobcats are going for $40 or better.

Skunk

The skunk market has always been a novelty one, with most of the skunk pelts being used as wall hangers, craft items or for other unique uses outside of the fur clothing market. With the downturn in the raccoon market and lower trapper effort targeting raccoons, fewer skunks are being caught as well. That’s resulted in higher prices, with skunks bringing around $15 on average.

Marten

With the ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, it’s been more difficult for much of the international market to purchase Russian sable, which may be what’s increasing the demand for marten pelts. Overall, marten averaged $40 in the most recent FHA auction, with better Alaskan and Canadian marten are averaging $50, and smaller and lower quality pelts bringing around $20. Marten demand was high enough that the auction cleared 100% of the offering, and my Maine marten averaged better than they have in years.

Fisher

Another item in limited supply, fisher pelts have also sold well recently, with averages around $40.

Lynx

The $120 average Fur Harvesters achieved for Canada lynx at their most recent auction is a dramatic improvement on what we’ve seen for lynx prices in recent history.

Badger and Weasel did well at auction, averaging $21 and $4.80, respectively.

Highlights, lowlights, and not much in between. It’s a bifurcated fur market in 2023, and the species you have to offer makes all the difference in the size of this year’s fur check.  

Filed Under: Fur Market, Fur Prices

Comments

  1. Alan G West says

    April 1, 2023 at 4:43 pm

    Thank for posting. What about skunks?

    Reply
    • Jeremiah says

      April 1, 2023 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks. Skunks are in the report. $15 average.

      Reply
  2. Jake Landis says

    April 2, 2023 at 8:49 pm

    Beaver here at the Washington auction was around $50 for xl and bobcat were from $55. -$110
    Otter were $40-$60
    It was a bad idea of me to not really trap beaver

    Reply
    • Jeremiah says

      April 3, 2023 at 6:49 am

      yeah often you don’t know till it’s too late

      Reply
  3. Kevin Grise says

    April 3, 2023 at 4:44 am

    How do you order your Trapping Today Magazine? I can’t find a link anywhere on your Website.

    Reply
    • Jeremiah says

      April 3, 2023 at 6:48 am

      Hi Kevin. The magazine is digital only. Here’s the link: https://trappingtoday.com/magazine/

      Reply
  4. Raymond Heenan says

    April 3, 2023 at 6:17 pm

    Thanks for all your hard work and time in compiling and sharing your knowledge in this report.

    Reply
  5. Eric Bottorff says

    April 11, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    I did set some iron Jan. 20 and caught 30 ….
    Only a few yearlings mostly Lg to 3&4 XL A few in the mid 50’s and 2 weighing in at 62, & 64 lbs. I had no idea the market was going to paying these prices. Thank you lord!
    I’m looking forward to meeting Greg and get my catch to the last auction for the year. Fingers crossed it’s another record sale!

    Reply
  6. William McKnight says

    August 20, 2023 at 6:17 pm

    My property borders the head waters of the White Oak River in Onslow county, NC. Most of the low areas are flooded timbre with the shallow river proper running through it. Beaver have always been here but lived in the flooded timber for the most part. In the past three years there has been a massive increase in beaver population. Now there are dams EVERYWHERE! They are in all the channels leading to the river. They are in the flooded timber. They are across the river. There are around any wide-water or ponds. I would like to remove enough dams to get around on the river but haven’t yet this year because the beaver build them back as soon as they are down. Seems to me the beaver problem should be dealt with first. So, here is the question: I have not seen ANY beaver activity since early spring. Where are they? I don’t see any sighs of trapping or alligators. Did some disseize wipe them out? Are they just waiting for me to knock the dams down and return? What do you think? Thanks, Capt. Bill

    Reply
  7. Aidan McClure says

    October 9, 2023 at 7:08 pm

    Just starting to get into this in Colorado. Any tips or things i should know about trapping and/or the market? Would love to hear it!

    Reply
  8. Myrna Goulet says

    October 28, 2023 at 11:16 pm

    is this in canada? im in bc and need some information and prices and buyers

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 2024 Fur Prices: Signs of Life in the Market - Trapping Today says:
    March 31, 2024 at 12:57 pm

    […] and a bump in demand across the board has led to some much improved prices in recent months. The bifurcation in the market continues, with demand and prices highly variable depending on the item, but with an undertone of […]

    Reply

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