Does anyone on here know what countries buy our muskrat pelts. Besides China are there any other major players

I don't know what countries buy rats but I know they aren't paying much for them.

I've decided I don't want my rat pelts going to China, I'm looking for a buyer that sells them elsewhere

Preventing your muskrats from going to China might be tough.

If you ship to FHA, you have no control over who buys your rats and where they end up. Lots of rats sold at FHA end up in China.

You won’t be able to sell to Groenwald, the bulk of his rats go to China. I think the same is true of Weibke.

If you sell to a small local buyer, he might be rather tight lipped about where he sells. Could be to Groenwald or Weibke or who knows.

I think you should be more focused on getting a fair price for your pelts than where they end up.

If It weren't for foreign countries we here In the US wouldn't have much of a market for any of our fur. So If someone wants your rats you better sell them with no questions asked.

I like you commitment. If you don't want your rats going to China you should not have to have them go there. Maybe work with your local business development fund to see if there is a local market that you can develop. you may get more for your rats in the long run.

In just about every part of this country no business Is going to work with you on selling fur. Other then your local fur buyer. So If you want to be sure your rats aren't going china you should tan them yourself and make something from them and then sell them or don't trap rats.

I was hoping maybe Weibke or possibly another buyer than I'm not aware of had a direct market .

TAN them and make your own market dont be like the rest of the run of the streem trappers on hear that rely on others to sell there goods for a bad price. get crafty find a local shop who could sell a few for you tanned or make hats and mittens. help make for favoribal in north america again.

I appreciate the ideas on the craft market. I don't see that being an option for me. Surely someone other than china buys rat pelts

Somebody else may buy them, but unless.things change that's where they'll be headed

South Korea plays a part in the rat market/

Buyers may have markets other than China but the chances of them sharing that information with you is very slim.

Developing markets takes a lot of time and energy and money. Once a buyer has established a good report with an overseas company he will want to protect it.

The craft market may not be for you but if you scout around you could very well come up with a craftsperson that might be interested in buying your rats for their business. Keep looking, the possibilities are out there.

I'll keep looking, I'm not interested in absolute top dollar. I just have intentions of helping a developing market. Instead of the dead end market we have with China. If anyone on here is interested send me a PM.

I had heard South Korea few years ago. I'll pursue it also. Thanks

Deal with a local furrier or garment maker. I am lucky enough to have one near by.

I have found that there is a budding market on the crafting side in leather works and bushcrafting. I sell a good amount of fur to friends and business associates who use fur to accent leather holsters wallets knive sheaths tomahawk covers and what not. The funny thing is the biggest question i get asked is did you catch this animal. One buyer will only buy fur I have caught. To him it is about the friendship and the lineage to market. when he sells a knife to him it comes with a story and he knows every bit of it. I have found that to be a way that possibly you could look at the craft market although it may not be for you personally. the stuff i send to moyles to get tanned gets sold this way and i sold all of my tanned stuff this year. I still have dried furs though lol. Those coons and rats didnt sell.

True, but I don't know how you'd find a market that excludes China.

I don't expect anyone to tell me who their contacts are. A handshake amongst Trappers works for me. If we are at the mercy of the Chinese , Weew….not good.

I don't know what you problem Is with the Chinese. But It's my opinion we wouldn't have much of a fur market with out them.
When I was trapping large number s of rats I sold through NAFA. But since NAFA Is gone and the price of rats has hit bottom I have stopped trapping rats In numbers.
I know have a small niche market for my rats so I haven't had to sell any rats through the auctions or any local fur buyers. But It can only deal with about a100 rats so any rats I may catch over that number will have to find a new home.

Good luck finding a home for your rats.