The latest fur market update is as discouraging as the previous few. North American Fur Auctions completed its February sale a few days ago, which was met with very mixed results. The high volume fur items that typically drive the fur market: namely raccoon, coyote and beaver, sold at extremely low levels. Beaver commanded such selective demand (which means buyers were very … [Read more...]
Montana’s January Fur Auction Slow, but Things Should Pick Up
Local fur auction results appear to following an overall downward trend in the fur market realized in the NAFA and Fur Harvesters auctions earlier this month. The Montana Trappers Association held the first Western States Fur Auction in Columbus, MT last Sunday, and a lot of fur was difficult to sell. In fact, a lot of fur never made it to the auction. Most trappers appeared … [Read more...]
Fur Market Update: FHA January Sale Results
Results are in from the January 9, 2009 sale from Fur Harvesters Auction, Inc. Prices and sale rates were fairly low, but considering this week's NAFA sale results, the FHA auction was by no means a disaster. Since FHA offers a number of rare and unique furs from northern North America (wolverine, wolf, arctic fox, etc.), which are almost always in demand, they are probably in … [Read more...]
Fur Market Update: NAFA January Sale Dismal
Results are in from yesterday's NAFA auction, the first major fur auction of the year, and an important indicator of future market conditions. Overall, prices were low and only the best items sold. Most sections of fur did not sell anywhere near 100%, and NAFA held on to a lot of fur in hopes of getting better prices for it in February's auction. Four species were offered … [Read more...]
Fur Market Update: Gloomy Outlook Ahead of Major Auction Dates
The latest forecast in the fur market doesn't look good. A Vancouver Sun article describes the recent drop in fur sales with a quote from North American Fur Auctions' vice president Dave Bewick: "The wheels fell off in September," Bewick said in an interview. "And nobody's really bought any fur from us, nobody's really inquired about fur and nobody really knows what fur is … [Read more...]
Fur Industry Has Changed, But it Ain’t Dead!
There's no question that the fur market has changed considerably over the years. What once was an industry that many Americans made their living from (including trapping, pelt handling, tanning, coat manufacturing and more) has evolved into hobby with supplemental income for most, supporting only a few remaining full time trappers and fur handlers. The last great fur boom … [Read more...]