Thread: Possum fur prices 2020 ?

Hi All
Now that we have moved from level four to level three and hopefully soon to be at level two, we think it is time to give you all a heads up on what is happening with Basically Bush
As you are all well aware the tourist industry in New Zealand is on its knees. There will be no international tourists here (with the exception of maybe Australia in several months’ time) for at least 18 months to 2 years. For many years now we have only supplied possum fur exclusively to the domestic spinner who supplies the New Zealand domestic market and Australia, so when they told us that they don’t need any fur for at least eighteen months, you can all understand the situation. However, they (the spinner) fully understand what will happen to the supply chain if we stop buying. We will get through the current situation and come out the other end and it is crucially important to ensure that there will be a supply chain operating when this happens. To that end they have agreed to continue to support basically bush who will continue to be able to by fur
So yes, we will continue to buy fur but only when we get to level two. The price however will be down significantly, and we will be looking for smaller volumes. So, at level two we will enter the market @$ 90/kg for all types. this is well down on what we were paying before we went into lockdown. We are well aware that this will come at a bit of a shock, but this will allow us to continue buying for the rest of this year with the exception of December 2020 and January 2021. We are also well aware that there are other parties paying more at present, and sending it directly to China as raw fur with no added value and doing nothing for the long-term sustainability of the industry here. At this time, we won’t be matching what others are paying at present, we will continue to evaluate and monitor what is happening in the market. when things settle, we will then look to support our hunters with a view to long term stability and sustainability . Our strategic position is to support the domestic market with a view to the long-term survival of the fur industry in New Zealand. This will mean that in the short-term hunters will have options re price, but be assured that overseas interests have no loyalty or commitment to the fur industry in New Zealand. They will ultimately look to drive down prices, especially if there is no domestic competition. So, while there may be better prices out there you shouldn’t just assume, they will be there in the medium to long term.
We will also be providing the opportunity for you to send your fibre direct to us at Woodville .This will enable us to add a small premium /kg for doing so .If you want to find out more then call Scott on 0272527949 for more info on how this will work .We will also continue to buy skins this season at the following prices
X large 1st $20 2nd $18 3rd $9 Large 1st $16 2nd $14 3rd $8 Medium 1st $10 2nd $8 . These prices will be subject to change as the season progress, depending on supply and demand. Again, this is down on last season but we can all hope that things will improve
That’s it for now we will continue to update as the season progresses, and continue to look for that light at the end of the tunnel
From the team at Basically Bush

Was talking to a full time trapper the other day, he has spent the last 4 weeks of lockdown at a remote hut, trapping as per usual. He has over 40kg so far, and had been offered $105 per kg for it when he phoned around on his one and only resupply trip to town. At that price he's happy to hold on to it, says if it comes up $20 later in the year, then he's made more money waiting than putting it in the bank.

Thanks for the post @Sarvo for putting up the update.
Its a hard one if i had 10kg of fur sitting here and somebody was paying $20 more per kg or even $10 thats between $100-$200 loss exspecially if its your income. Even doing it for pest control on the farm when you are out all night i still enjoy the extra cash that $110-$120 made it worth while
A 12yr old Boy down the road has got 5kg of his traps in lock down he won't want to go back to school

This is where they should talk with Winston or Shane Jones
Get a subsidy to refine the raw product here in NZ
Others sending direct to China should get a Export Tax disincentive ??

Am I sounding like Roger Douglas "or" Rob Muldoon

This is when the goverment should put a bounty on possum to get there pest free. even a dollar a tail. @Sarvo one of the fur buyers in town was staying that there was only a couple of full time trappers in gisborne selling them fur. I was surprised. Plenty of people bringing in fur but only hobbyist.

Hey guys quick question on possum skins for selling, what sort of prep / cleanup is required for selling skins? is it just a matter of removing the skin, taking as little flesh as possible, or do you actually have to clean up the removed skin to get it closer to a ready for tanning state? Just figuring out if it's worth giving skinning a go. Planning to do a possum roundup with a mate, last time we bagged 10 without even trying and threw the possums away not realizing how easy they are to pluck. I figure they're at least worth plucking, but seems you'd have to do that while hunting, when the possums still warm. Whereas skinning can be done next day, but I'm not sure how good of a job is required.

Will be hunting them over hawera way, but I'm based on Palmerston North personally. Will probably do a cull once lockdown is lowered, then another at the end of winter.