China Brief

What is the state of the fur industry in China?

China has long been the dominant force in the global fur trade, both as a producer and exporter. However, recent data reveals a sharp decline in China’s fur industry, with exports, imports, and production experiencing significant downturns.

This decline appears to have been particularly acute in recent years. In 2023, mink production was approximately 3.88 million pelts, a decrease of 32.96% compared to 2022. Fox production was around 3.03 million pelts, representing a decrease of 63.81% since 2022. Raccoon dog production was around 3.18 million pelts, a decrease of 59.86% since 2022.

Despite this downward trend, and despite 2023 being the lowest year of production in the past decade, over 10 million animals were still killed for their pelts that year alone.

China’s Fur Exports: A Dramatic Decline

Over the past decade, China’s fur product exports (4303) reached a peak in 2019 at a value of approximately USD 4.9 billion. However, since reaching this peak, exports have decreased dramatically year on year, with an export value in 2023 of approximately USD 1.1 billion.

Despite shifting market dynamics, China’s fur product exports are experiencing a significant downward trend in terms of value. In global context, China represented approximately 82% of the global market share of fur product exports in 2019. In 2023, this had decreased to 58%

Of particular note, exports to Russia have experienced a sharp decline since 2019. Exports to Russia have historically accounted for a large share of China’s export market for fur products, with exports to Russia representing 81.3% of China’s export market in 2017 at its height. In 2023, exports to Russia represented just 42.1% of China’s export market.

During the past five years, as the export market to Russia has declined, exports to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have increased. In both 2022 and 2023, the combined value of exports to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan represented approximately 18% of the total market value of China’s fur product exports.

Looking at export quantities (per ton) of fur products reveals a similar trend, although it is notable that while the value of fur product exports has decreased dramatically, the quantity of fur product exports has not been proportionate. For example, in 2023, the value of fur product exports was just 23% of the export value at peak in 2019, yet the quantity of fur product exports in 2023 was 40% of the export quantity in 2019. This suggests that in addition to a decline in exports, China’s fur product market is also experiencing a decrease in unit price for fur product exports.

Fur products are China’s main fur exporting market. However, exports of tanned or dressed furskins (4302) have also experienced a significant decline with a notable drop in 2016. Exports of raw furskins (4301) have remained negligible.

China’s Fur Imports

There has been a steep decline in China’s imports of raw furskins (4301) from 2014-2023.

However, imports of tanned or dressed furskins (4302) or fur products (4303) have been more variable with no obvious downward trend. In fact, imports of fur products have increased somewhat in the past three years with a notable increase in imports of fur products from Italy and France.

Fur Production Statistics

The decline in Chinese imports and exports of fur and fur products reflects a global downward trend in fur production. Indeed, despite being the largest fur producer worldwide, fur production in China has experienced a significant decline. Source: ActAsia

Production statistics show that mink, fox and raccoon dog furskins, the three main species farmed for fur in China, are all experiencing a considerable downturn.

This decline appears to have been particularly acute in recent years. In 2023, mink production was approximately 3.88 million pelts, a decrease of 32.96% compared to 2022. Fox production was around 3.03 million pelts, representing a decrease of 63.81% since 2022. Raccoon dog production was around 3.18 million pelts, a decrease of 59.86% since 2022.

Despite this downward trend, and despite 2023 being the lowest year of production in the past decade, over 10 million animals were still killed for their pelts that year alone.

📊 Interactive Data: Explore the Trends

Use the interactive charts below to explore how China's fur trade has evolved over time. Click on different data points to see trends in exports, imports, and production.

📉 China’s Fur Product Exports Over Time

🔹 Peak in 2019 at $4.9 billion → Steep decline to $1.1 billion in 2023
🔹 Russia’s dominance in China’s export market has waned, from 81.3% (2017) to 42.1% (2023).

👉 Hover over the graph to explore year-on-year changes.

🌍 China’s Global Fur Market Share

🔹 2019: China controlled 82% of global fur exports.
🔹 2023: This dropped to 58%, signaling a shrinking industry.

👉 Click on different years to compare China’s share in the global market.

📦 Fur Production Trends: Mink, Fox & Raccoon Dog

🔹 China’s fur farming is shrinking, with over 60% decline in fox and raccoon dog pelts since 2022.
🔹 Despite the decline, over 10 million animals were still killed for fur in 2023.

👉 Click on the species to see how production has dropped.

📥 Imports: China’s Changing Fur Trade Partnerships

Raw furskin imports have plummeted since 2014.
However, fur product imports from Italy and France have grown in recent years.

👉 Explore the interactive map to see China’s changing import sources.