New research into China’s fur trade shows consumer appetite for fur-fashions

The report, China’s fur trade and its position in the global fur industry reveals the emergence of a persistent, steady level of supply and demand for real fur in China. International partnerships between China, Europe and North America are helping to consolidate China’s fur-farming industry, as it establishes strong foundations that would enable expansion to meet growing demand in future. Live export of stud animals to China, knowledge-sharing, join student design and business programmes, and a growing reliance upon China by the west for healthy profits signal close international partnerships.

In 2014, China’s factory farm produced a staggering 60 million mink – more than half the global output – and the surplus from that year, still in cold storage, continues to supplement annual production for the global market. Foreign investment in China has strengthened the industry with mutual benefit, modernising China’s fur farms and supporting the trade in Europe and North America.

ACTAsia points out that although production numbers have slowed down since 2014, this is largely due to shifts in the market. There has been a move away from coats made entirely from traditional mink towards a preference for fur trim, often derived from other species including fox and raccoon dog. Production of fox pelts has recently grown in China. While the majority of China’s fur is consumed domestically, a significant quantity is exported to supply high street brands and market stalls across the world.