Author: Artem Sotnikov
On the cover: Production area of the Chonge brand
The main question from Chinese furriers is whether the market will see an increase in the number of sable pelts?
The residents of the fur cluster in Haining include both sellers of tanned hides and China’s largest fashion brands, which produce ready-to-wear items.
Meeting with the leadership of the fur cluster in Haining (China)
The cluster itself is essentially a technology park with its own facilities for the sale of these products. The impressive shopping malls are also accessible to residents of neighboring major cities such as Shanghai and Hangzhou.
A lynx fur model in the Osstina brand showroom at the cluster shopping center
Unfortunately, for residents of the cluster who want to reduce production costs, the extraction of commercial sables in Russia is limited. This means that in a healthy market, sables will always be in short supply and particularly valuable.
A guided tour for guests at the FN Fur stock
The situation with fur farming is different: it is possible to increase the volume, but it is also not possible to do so quickly due to reproductive reasons — sables only produce offspring after 9 months of pregnancy (245–298 days). In comparison, minks only produce offspring after about 40–75 days. Despite the above, there is an additional perspective in the development of Russian fur farming that can ensure market growth.
Sunjoy auction office and warehouse
In fact, sables are so popular today that Chinese producers even dye foxes “sable-colored.” However, Chinese ingenuity does not end there, as they even rename ferrets as “Tverskoy mink” (a marketing term for ferrets).
A dressed fox skin dyed in «sable colour»
Another trend is the desire of Chinese producers to associate themselves with elite brands. Their mentions are ubiquitous, which is understandable and logical.
Brand leaders (from left to right, top to bottom): Osstina — Chonge — QSZI.1975 — Felefasa
If we talk about the future, our colleagues noted that almost all of the fur purchased at the January auction has already been processed into garments. The future prospects will be evaluated based on the results of their sales throughout the year, but for now, manufacturers need more products, and they are in demand not only in Asia.
Interviews with honorary guests at the exhibition in Haining