In the online auction of Saga Furs December participated approximately 80 buyers.
The main buyer countries of mink furs, foxes and Finnraccoon were Russia, South Korea, Turkey, Greece and the western fashion industry.
From the other side, China's markets were low.
From 840.000 mink furs auctioned, sold more than a fifth, while in total they were offered 210.000 fox skins of which half were sold.
The offer of 20.000 Finnraccoon was sold at a rate 100%.
The value of sales rose to 11 million euros (12/2020: 28 million euros).
"The result of the auction met our expectations. For Chinese manufacturers, December auction normally offers an opportunity for replacement shopping before Chinese New Year, which completes the retail season. However, currently, Chinese retailers suffer from coronavirus-induced lockdown. Other countries shopping for next season, already from this time of year, was active. Based on these results, it is not possible to predict how the main fur sales season will start. The result shows how dependent we are on China's main market. ", says Magnus Ljung, CEO of Saga Furs.
In more detail:
The December online auction Saga Furs offered 460.000 white and brown mink.
The current situation of coronavirus in the main markets clearly affected the demand for the velvet types offered for sale at this auction. It was decided to protect the market and keep the price levels constant with those of the previous auction. However, the classic Brown males were sold at a higher rate 75%.
The sale of Silverblue, Pearl, Palomino and the exclusive BLACKGLAMA mink collection, followed the same pattern in terms of sales rates and velvet types.
The main purchasing countries were Turkey, Greece, other western markets, as well as South Korea.
The offered quantity of 20.000 Finnraccoon sold out entirely. The main markets were Russia, South Korea, Turkey and the European fashion industry. The sale of 18.000 Sable breeding, also went very well and sold at 2/3 at rising prices.
In the online auction they were offered 100.000 blue fox furs as well as foxes of other types.
The Blue Fox were sold almost against 40% with a stable pricing policy. Blue Frost and some of the mutant foxes, were sold in large quantities. The Blue Fox Top Lot was purchased by Mr. Hu Feng of Fur Finland on behalf of Jincai @ Fur, Ms. Li Ting.
The main purchasing countries were Russia, South Korea, Turkey, Greece and the European fashion industry. The current situation of COVID in China has clearly affected demand and sales results.
Saga Furs offered Furmark furs at the December auction
Starting with the December auction 2021, all mink furs, foxes and Finnraccoon to be offered at Saga Furs auctions, will be Furmark certified.
"Furmark is a global certification system that includes many certification programs. In the Furmark system, the most relevant certification programs for Saga Furs are WelFur and North American certifications », explains the CEO of Saga Furs, Magnus Ljung.
For Ljung, the biggest progress you make with Furmark is that now, the entire fur supply chain following the auction, can be certified.
"Before, there was no single program that included tanneries / dyehouses, so that their procedures can be certified. Now with Furmark, each stage of the supply chain is subject to certification and evaluation by third party inspections. "
The Saga Furs guarantees certified furs
Saga Furs's role at Furmark is to ensure that the furs offered at its auctions are certified. Going into more detail about Animal Welfare Certifications and Saga Furs Global Offer, Mr.. Ljung says the Saga Furs can now prove that all mink furs, foxes, Finnraccoon and sable it is 100% certified by third party audits.
"From the season 2014/2015, have been certified through the Saga Certification and according to Finnish standards, all fox and Finnraccoon fur offered. The 2019 we integrated WelFur into Saga Certification, which allowed us to offer mink lots that were 100% certified. Now with Furmark our offer of mink furs from North America is fully certified. This is a big step forward for the well-being of animals. ", underlines Mr.. Heather.
Traceability for consumers
Furmark has traceability capabilities to provide transparency to consumers.
"To ensure the soundness and transparency of the entire Furmark process, Furmark connects the various processes at each stage of the supply chain. The traceability component is included in the entire supply chain and the skins can be traced back to our auction. ".
So that consumers can see which products are in the Furmark system, Each garment bearing the Furmark mark bears a unique label code to provide traceability. Saga Furs will continue to offer tags and hangtags as usual. Only the design will change slightly: the WelFur logo is replaced by the Furmark logo.
"Transparency is central to Furmark: the products are traceable, certified and guaranteed to meet recognized standards. Furmark provides a simple, a recognizable mark that ensures that consumers can buy certified fur with confidence. That's why Saga Furs chose to be a part of it. ", says Magnus Ljung.
