US Fur Apparel Imports Continue Upward

Imports of Fur Apparel into the U.S., which turned upward last year after five years of decline, continued to edge higher in January.

Total imports from all sources, according to the latest Commerce Dept. data, amounted to just over $5 million, up 2% over last year's month. That included nearly $2.6 million in mink apparel, a decline of 5%, and $2.5 million in other furs, an increase of 10%. This was a continuation of last year's pattern in which retailers were placing more emphasis on less expensive items in order to maintain their popular price points in the face of rising prices.

Hong Kong/China maintained its position as the major supplier, shipping in a total of $2.1 million for the month, up 6%. This consisted of $1.6 million in mink, up 1%, and $593,000 in other furs, an increase of 43%. Canada supplied a total of $1.2 million, unchanged.