International fur fairs end on cautious note

SANDY PARKER REPORT, VOL. 33, ISSUE 14, MAY 18, 2009
The following extract is reproduced with permission from Sandy Parker Reports, Weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for more than four decades. For most of that time he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements in the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it.

Subscribe now and receive all the latest news, either in print or electronically. Just $150 a year for 48 issues! Sandy Parker Reports, 21219 Lago Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33433; Tel: (561) 477-3764; Fax: (561) 862-7052; SParker@SandyParker.com; www.sandyparker.com

International Fur News
with Sandy Parker

International fur fairs end on cautious note

THE END OF THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL FUR FAIR SERIES finds retailers in most countries around the world taking a more conservative path to the season ahead. While the individual results were generally better than had been expected, given the recession that has developed, both buyer attendance and orders booked were mostly down from a year ago. One country that may prove an exception is the huge Chinese market, whose retailers traditionally don’t place their orders until May. But, considering that many of those stores are controlled by manufacturers who have been active at this year’s auctions, it appears they will be preparing aggressively.

Although they weren’t active buyers at that time, the Chinese were the largest national contingent at the Hong Kong Fair in February, numbering 13% more than last year. They more than offset the decline in the number of Russians there. China’s economy reportedly has not suffered as badly as those of other countries and the 40% drop in the prices of mink skins is expected to appeal to a broader segment of its consumers.

THE FINAL INTERNATIONAL FAIR FOR THIS YEAR ENDED LAST WEEK IN KASTORIA and provided a clue as to the Russian market’s expectations in view of their sour economy. Russia is by far Greece’s biggest customer; to play on an old cliché, if Russia catches cold, the Greek fur market sneezes. Considering Russia’s economic problems, the Kastorian Fur Association took the bold step of arranging two charter flights to bring over 300 Russians to its fair.
According to unofficial sources, the charter invitees apparently were well chosen, serious buyers who reportedly placed good orders. The atmosphere at the fair was described as upbeat and the results far better than had been expected. According to reports, the Russians not only bought at the fair, but also visited the factories of non-exhibiting manufacturers.

IN THIS ISSUE:
Fairs End on Cautious Note
Retailers Plan Conservatively
Chinese Seen More Optimistic
Russians Active in Kastoria
Finnish Auction Shows Loss

For extracts from back issues of Sandy Parker Reports see News Archive. Subscribers can access an archive of complete issues at www.sandyparker.com.