China Betting on Strong Season, Factories Running Near Capacity and Reporting Skin Shortages
AT THIS POINT, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FACING CHINESE MANUFACTURERS IS A SHORTAGE OF SKINS, NOT ONLY MINK BUT OTHER FURS AS WELL. New York dealers and brokers have been receiving inquiries for mink, but say that very little is available. The calls are mostly from China, but also Korea. Dealers point out that auction clearances have been excellent and that virtually nothing is available for private treaty. As for European goods, both Scandinavian houses will be selling whatever they have at next month’s windup auctions.
AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT SKIN-SHORTAGE PROBLEM IS SAID TO BE A LACK OF SUFFICIENT DRESSING AND DYEING FACILITIES. Even if supplies of raw skins were available, it would still take time – now weeks – before manufacturers could put those skins into production. There still remain some processing facilities in North America and Europe, but they are either overburdened or not part of a smooth route to the Chinese factories, which produce most of today’s fur garments for the world. Although the Chinese have established dressing and dyeing facilities in their own country, some have run afoul of China’s strict anti-pollution regulations covering all industries and have been shut down. Others have yet to bring the quality of their work up to acceptable levels. Further complicating this problem has been the growing popularity of furs with special dyeing, printing and other effects, such as laser treatments. In short, furs, the oldest known form of clothing, are now competing in a new world and having to adhere to new rules.
Sandy Parker Reports is weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for over 43 years. For the last 33 years he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of all the major international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements within the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it. For Subscriptions, Click here View Archived SandyParker Reports, Click here
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