A fur table sale in Prince Albert in December. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski
Officials with Fur Harvest Auctions of Ontario say the wild fur market around the world has experienced a downturn this year, with some products difficult to sell overseas.
At an auction held in January, most of the otter, muskrat and racoon pelts remained unsold.
CEO Mark Downey says international factors are the main reason for this year’s drop in demand.
“The situation in Russia has had a huge impact on fur, as well as the situation in China, it is a question of economics and politics and the state of the Russian ruble, oil prices so it’s all lined up.”
Downey says the news is not all bad and a number of species from northern Saskatchewan are still in demand.
“The trim trade for coyotes is phenomenal so coyotes are still going to bring a premium like they have in the last few years, western coyotes in particular.”
Downey says other northern fur products like marten, wolverine, wolf and lynx remain strong sellers.
North American Fur Auctions says the industry has been facing a series of “exceptionally difficult challenges” — including unseasonably warm weather in December in many of the important markets across the globe.
The staple of the Canadian fur industry — the beaver pelt — went for an average price of just over $15 in NAFA’s recent wild fur sale.