WINDHOEK – The April 2015 Swakara pelt auction results, international fur market realities, latest fur market trends and global acceptance of Swakara were the items topping the agenda at Agra ProVision’s information sharing evening hosted in Keetmanshoop recently.
The event was well attended by both upcoming and established Swakara producers. Raimar von Hase, Chairperson of the Karakul (Swakara) Board of Namibia shared feedback from the International Fur Federation (IFF) meeting held earlier this year on the developements in the fur industry. “In light of the fashion developments, fur is now prominent with designers on catwalks than ever before. And social media is increasingly being utilised to promote fur and draw attention to new lifestyles,” von Hase said. But despite the efforts, the fur industry is being held back due some key indicators adversely affecting it.“Mink fur, which has a pricing structure linked to swakara has a production of approximaetly 82 million in a year, whereas Swakara only markets approximately 120,000 pelts in a year. And the economic crisis in Russia with their currency dropping with more than 50% negatively influenced the outlook of the auction. The Russians have less buying power, although 80% of the fur garments are normally sold in Russia,“von Hase said.
Dagmar Honsbein, General Manager of Agra ProVision shared von Hase’s sentiments saying the Swakara fur industry is a globally sought-after item and therefore is currently under pressure. Although there are some challenges, Honsbein assured the producers that there is light at the end of the tunnel. “Swakara remains to be a luxury fashion product. As a high-end niche product, there is a need for market and product diversification. This will enable us to pursue new market segments for high-middle income earners,” she explained. She concluded by saying, “In order to seek new markets, there is a need for production of more Swakara pelts to satisfy the market demand,“ he said.
Agra awarded top Namibian producer, Malcolm and Louisa Campbell of Lovedale Farming from Helmeringhausen who sold 308 pelts at an average of N$ 752.86 (DKK 434.88). The top South African producer was Willie Knoesen of Ashkam who achieved an average price of R 782.79 (DKK 452.17) for 304 pelts. Agra facilitated the sale of 93 percent of the Swakara offering sold at the April pelt auction in Denmark. Of the total offer of 60 910 Swakara pelts, 56 693 were sold at this auction on 18 April. The pelts sold consisted of 42 350 black, 10 406 white, 2 648 spotted and 1 289 diverse pelts.