Fox farming in Finland declines by almost 70%
In Finland, one of Europe's most important fur-producing countries, breeding operations are being downsized and closed at a rapid pace.
In the last 5 years, mink production has fallen by 50%, while fox production has declined even more sharply at 68%.
New statistics from the Finnish Fur Breeders' Association for the year 2023, analysed by Animalia confirm that the industry is in steep decline.
In 2023, there was only one mink farm producing more than 10’000 pelts, compared to 11 such farms the previous year. There were six fox farms producing more than 10’000 pelts, compared to 8 in 2022 and 20 in 2019. Most mink are raised in operations producing fewer than 500 pelts per year, suggesting that mink farming is a sideline business. Foxes, by contrast, are predominantly farmed in operations housing 3’000–10’000 animals.
Over the last 5 years, mink production has fallen by 50%, while fox farming has declined by 68%.
The actual number of pelts produced last year is significantly lower than birth rates would suggest, as nearly half a million fur animals were culled and destroyed in autumn 2023 due to avian influenza.
The few remaining farms are not financially viable. The average sale price for blue fox pelts has fallen by 13% compared to the previous year. The production costs of a fox pelt currently exceed the sale revenue, resulting in a loss of up to 50 euros per animal for the farmer. The average price for a mink pelt has also fallen by 2% compared to the previous year.
Following the mass culling of mink on Finnish fur farms due to the avian influenza outbreak in 2023, farmers received over 50 million euros in public funds as compensation, raising further questions about the economic justification for the industry.
The number of jobs in the fur industry has halved within five years, undermining the social argument for maintaining production.
In a opinion poll conducted by Animalia and Oikeutta Eläimille in 2023, 83% of Finns said they were in favour of either banning fur farming or giving animals significantly more space and opportunities to behave in a species-appropriate manner.
The new statistics support the argument for a fur-free Europe, as proposed by the successful European Citizens' Initiative.
