A belated welcome to 2014 to all possum hunters out there from the Basically Bush Team.
At the end of last year we did explain that the market was "soft", i.e. demand for fibre and skins had dropped off. We have been waiting to see what the market might bring for 2014. We, down here in the South Pacific, are influenced by global markets. Products made from possum fibre and fur skins must compete in the market with other products of similar value. That's a lot of competition. That, in addition to the fact that markets are "soft" result in reduced prices paid for the raw material.
We believe that there will not be high prices paid this year. That means that for you, the hunter, fibre is unlikely to fetch more than $110/kg in the middle of the season, and the price paid for raw fur skins will be corresponding lower.
Our current price of fibre is $105/kg.
We are not buying skins this summer season as the good buying last season means that we still have ample stock. Due to an over supply of fur skins on the world stage prices paid for top quality furs such as mink have dropped by 50% over the past 6 months.. Therefore the international demand for possum is low. Our domestic sales of dressed skins is satisfactory, but it is export sales that enables us to buy significant numbers of raw skins. While this is market is "soft" buying will be limited. We will keep you informed as to when/if we commence buying raw skins.
We still believe that we have a wonderful product and that there is a great environmental story that goes with it.
Like all commodities there are good years and not such good years; we've all got to take the "downs with the ups".
Talk to you again soon.
Sue & Steve
At the end of last year we did explain that the market was "soft", i.e. demand for fibre and skins had dropped off. We have been waiting to see what the market might bring for 2014. We, down here in the South Pacific, are influenced by global markets. Products made from possum fibre and fur skins must compete in the market with other products of similar value. That's a lot of competition. That, in addition to the fact that markets are "soft" result in reduced prices paid for the raw material.
We believe that there will not be high prices paid this year. That means that for you, the hunter, fibre is unlikely to fetch more than $110/kg in the middle of the season, and the price paid for raw fur skins will be corresponding lower.
Our current price of fibre is $105/kg.
We are not buying skins this summer season as the good buying last season means that we still have ample stock. Due to an over supply of fur skins on the world stage prices paid for top quality furs such as mink have dropped by 50% over the past 6 months.. Therefore the international demand for possum is low. Our domestic sales of dressed skins is satisfactory, but it is export sales that enables us to buy significant numbers of raw skins. While this is market is "soft" buying will be limited. We will keep you informed as to when/if we commence buying raw skins.
We still believe that we have a wonderful product and that there is a great environmental story that goes with it.
Like all commodities there are good years and not such good years; we've all got to take the "downs with the ups".
Talk to you again soon.
Sue & Steve
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