Copenhagen, Denmark -- Amid rumors that some retailers and manufacturers were trying to scarf up pelts in advance of predicted price increases, the Feb. 12-14 Copenhagen Fur Center auction drew a record number of buyers -- 475 in total, compared to 350 who attended its December sale. Fueled by voracious demand from Russian and South Korean markets, plus shortages of skins and inventories world-wide, mink pelt prices maintained a steady upward pace, as expected.

A total offering of 2.4 million mink skins sold at DKK 233 ($40.98 USD), which was 29% higher than December '95 and as much as 86% higher than the average at Copenhagen's sale one year ago.

"After a recent surge in purchasing from retail fur outlets, world stocks are considerably depleted, allowing the world's largest mink auction to start at great advantage with 475 buyers who were prepared to pay increasing prices for the skins," reported the auction company.

Scanblack mink pelt prices increased 24% for males and 29% for females, with a total of more than 500,000 offered. Mahogany also found a new price level with increases of almost 30%; highest prices went for mahogany females. The largest buyers of size 00 and 0 males in the scanblack and mahogany collections were from the Russian market, while South Korea dominated size 1 males and all female sizes.

Pastel mink followed the upward trend; females especially were in great demand. White mink pelt prices increased about 20% compared to December.

The scanbrown sale confirmed the fact that mink prices have attained a new price level. A total of 751,000 skins sold at prices increasing 37% on average in males and females; buyers from Russia and South Korea were again dominant in the males, while South Korea and Hong Kong fixed the prices for female skins.

Scanglows followed the pattern with price increases of 29% for males and 30% for females. This type sold to several markets, as both Italy and Greece were active in this collection.

Oslo Fur Auctions sold blue and silver fox Feb. 12 at the Copenhagen Fur Center. Fierce competition for good qualities brought firm to higher prices compared to recent Scandinavian levels. Blue fox sizes 000 advanced 29% to December; size 00 advanced 55%, size 0 by 54% and size 1 by 42%. China/Hong Kong and Korea were the main buyers, with support from Japan and Europe. Norwegian silver foxes were in great demand due to their silky quality and good color; prices increased 5-10% to recent Scandinavian levels. Purchases of silver foxes were evenly distributed among the various markets.

The following are auction results reported from Copenhagen Fur Center. The exchange rates used to calculate U.S. dollar figures (as seen here) were as follows: scanbrowns and scanglows sold on Feb. 14, when the exchange rate was USD 1 = DKK .1759; the remainder were sold on Feb. 12-13 and were calculated at the Feb. 13th rate of USD 1 = DKK .18. The exchange rates for the December 1995 sale, to which most price comparisons have been made, were .1778 and .1792.

Item	Offering	%Sold	Top	Avg	Dec.95	Feb.95
Sapphire males	12,438	100	108.00	80.64	68.85	-
Sapphire females	8,986	100	70.20	62.28	47.32	-
White males	22,912	100	77.40	51.84	43.23	33.76
White females	20,652	100	32.40	28.26	24.73	17.38
Pastel males	42,964	100	59.40	50.40	43.23	25.16
Pastel females	48,787	100	44.10	33.30	28.11	16.22
Mahogany males	87,009	100	70.20	58.50	45.90	30.27
Mahogany females	86,963	100	42.30	33.48	25.08	19.29
Scanblack males	270,005	100	68.40	52.02	39.49	26.77
Scanblack females	256,502	100	45.00	30.96	23.66	16.13
Scanbrown males	365,367	100	68.60	53.47	40.32	25.08
Scanbrown females	385,642	100	39.58	28.50	21.32	14.38
Scanglow males	396,838	100	68.60	48.37	39.24	25.75
Scanglow females	336,664	100	38.70	28.14	22.22	15.12
Silverblue males	11,537	100	91.80	76.68	-	33.76
Silverblue females	10,003	100	52.20	41.04	-	19.36
Black cross males	8,494	100	55.80	47.16	-	28.96
Black cross females	10,282	100	34.20	27.90	-	18.04
Blue Fox	55,515	100	180.00	133.56	90.91	71.17
Silver Fox	17,623	100	131.40	98.82	-	55.11