x2

Not true. Some quit for reasons other than crappy fur prices.

Agreed

The convention season is upon us. The Escanaba show provided cool mornings that reminded us what was coming. As a result, everyone wanted to know what prices looked like for the coming season. Prices will be mixed because of fashion trends, cratering mink prices and the international trade situation.
Fashion trends in China have pivoted away from traditional long mink coats to coyote trimmed parkas. This trend is accelerating. Long mink coats are now seen on farmers in the fields of China, while chic urban youth wear coyote-trimmed parkas on the streets of Beijing and Shanghai. This is great news for the coyote market however western heavies appear to have found a ceiling. The Midwest types, including semis, should see some improvements.
This trend should help the heavier section raccoon. Although not a perfect substitute for coyote, it does make for a little tidier trim on darker colored garments. More manufactures are using raccoon giving us more confidence to be more aggressive on this item.
Muskrat is a difficult item to predict. The use of muskrat is not declining, however cheap ranch mink prices are really putting downward pressure on muskrat prices. Ranch mink production must come down or we will continue to see devastation in the market. Some female ranch mink are in the high single digits. This makes it a very cheap and attractive alternative to muskrat. Any sign of pelt-outs at ranches will bring relief to the short-haired items.
The trade war / tariff situation between the US and China is a great unknown. Wild fur already has a 30% tariff, so we feel fairly insulated from further action. However, Chinese customs officials are already scrutinizing US shipments more than in the past. Many commodities shipped via ocean have already been cancelled by the Chinese in anticipation of ships not arriving before tariffs are enacted. Let’s hope for a settlement before it escalates further.
Fashion trends, poor mink prices and the trade war with China will dictate our fur market through much of the season. Continue to watch ranch mink prices and trade tensions. Changes could result in further swings in our market. We will continue to update.

Guy Groenewold
GFW

I stand by my statement, the only way I'm not trapping is if I'm dead. Anyone that can skip a season was never really hooked.

I'm with ya Rat, but life's circumstances can sometimes limit our choices. I now live in a place where I can trap every season, and I will never again miss another one for as long as I can walk out my door. Life is very good for me now as a result...regardless of fur prices.