Swakara auction a big success

Namibian producers under the current severe drought situation, were extremely relieved with the total sale of swakara at the September pelt auction in Denmark which was facilitated by Agra.

There was a high demand of good quality white pelts with their prices maintaining a rather stable price level. Grey and brown pelts which are only offered at September auctions, sold at higher average prices than the black pelts.
The Top Lot for white swakara achieved N$1 489.25 (DKK 720) for a lot of 42 KF Selected Extra pelts, purchased by Victor Konstantinopolskiy from ACCESSORY Fur, in Moscow, Russia. The highest price for black pelts was N$ 1820.19 (DKK 880), for a lot of 52 O Light Selected Extra pelts, bought by Michail Konstantinou from Konstatinou Furs in Kastoria, Greece.
The average sales price of N$ 428.58 is a decrease of 7.08% on the N$ 461.23 achieved at the April 2015 auction. The pelt offer consisted of 39 821 black, 11 545 white, 3 400 grey, 644 brown, 2 525 spotted and 1 290 diverse pelts.
The top Namibian producer (with more than 250 pelts) at this auction was Karasberge Karakoelstoet from Karasburg who sold 332 pelts at an average price of N$ 781.69. The top South African producer was Koos Kotze from Grobblershoop who achieved an average price of R 599.56 for 581 pelts.
The pelts on offer were bought by 22 buyers with other prospective buyers bidding, but not being successful. The biggest buyer of swakara was the company Morisco from Denmark who purchased 14 640 pelts. Morisco, owned by Thomas Rebuild, also facilitated the purchase of the white Top Lot, at both auctions of 2015. Agents from Denmark bought the most pelts followed by buyers from Greece, with agents from England taking third place. Italy bought 10 214 pelts. Bidding for the pelts commenced in an unusually tense manner. However, after the new price level was established, bidding was more spontaneous and buyers showed good interest at the lower prices.
The white swakara Top Lot buyer, Victor Konstantinopolskiy, is a fur expert who has created a brand new technique that adds a metallic look to the luxurious fur. Mr Konstantinopolskiy ennobles Swakara fur in Moscow, and delivers these goods exclusively to FENDI, a leading global fashion brand. According to Mr Konstantinopolskiy, the Swakara fur is very popular especially amongst Russian designers and he hopes that his white Top Lot swakara with a metallic finishing will be a success. Namibian farmers will receive first hand feedback from the auction and fur market place at the Swakara Industry Forum on 20 October in Keetmanshoop.