International Fur Auction to Open in Saint Petersburg, January 29

Soyuzpushnina [Fur Union] exhibition association will hold the 158th international fur auction in Saint Petersburg, from January 29 through February 2. As the association's press office announced, there are plans to exhibit 100 thousand sable furs, 300 thousand mink furs and 75 thousand polar fox skins. There will also be 20 thousand ermine furs, 5 thousand silver-black fox skins and 500 thousand squirrel skins. Up to 100 customers are planning to attend the auction.

In January 2002, the Saint Petersburg fur auction raised USD 9 million, a year-on-year increase of almost USD 2 million. Sable skins enjoyed the greatest demand: 70% of the 110 thousand skins were sold. The top price of a sable skin was USD 250 (the most valuable kind of sable fur, the so-called 'grey' sable). The average price of sable furs was USD 140-150.

The 157th international fur auction, which was held in Saint Petersburg in December 2002, raised more than USD 3 million, which according to Soyuzpushnina was the most profitable December auction for the last five years. The exhibits were supplied by 65 different suppliers across Russia. The collections of commercially sold and state farm sable furs (25 thousand furs) were completely sold, the average price for a fur reaching USD 95 and the top price being USD 185. 40 customers took part at the auction.