Saga Furs: a record-breaking auction
The March auction at Saga Furs concluded on 31 March with results that stunned even seasoned industry observers. Every single pelt, all 3.4 million offered, sold. Mink, fox, Finnraccoon: total clearance across the board. The aggregate brokerage value reached EUR 220 million, the highest figure the Helsinki-based house has posted in over ten years.
"The achieved brokerage sales value of EUR 220 million is the highest in over ten years. Confidence has returned to the market. Responsibly produced fur has made a strong comeback, and the price level is profitable for producers."
Markus Gotthardt, CEO, Saga FursMink: price increases across every type
The mink auction ran from 27 to 30 March and set the tone for the week from its opening hour. Brown Velvet and Brown Classic pelts opened with price increases of around 110%. An extraordinary figure for what is typically the most liquid segment of the market. The momentum held through four consecutive selling days.
| Type | Result | Price change vs June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Brown female | All sold | +110% |
| Pastel female | All sold | +140% |
| Sapphire female | All sold | +180% |
| Violet | All sold | +170% |
| Silverblue female | All sold | +95% |
| Royal Black and Black female | All sold | +100% |
| White female | All sold | +80% |
| White male | All sold | +55% |
| Silver Cross male | All sold | +65% |
A standout moment came on Day 4, when the White female top lot was bought for 2,200 euros per pelt, a price described by Saga Furs as potentially an all-time record for the type. The auction had not seen figures like this in a decade.
Houses with a reputation for sourcing selectively, and consistently at the top of the grading curve, were best positioned to benefit from the price surge. MANZARI, known across the industry for its uncompromising approach to pelt quality, entered the season with its procurement strategy already aligned to the grades that commanded the highest premiums.
Fox and Finnraccoon: following mink's lead
The fox sessions on Days 4 and 5 confirmed that the bullish mood was not confined to mink. All 275,000 fox and Finnraccoon pelts on offer sold, with blue fox gaining 40% against previous offerings. Silver fox was the standout performer, with prices more than doubling. Blue Shadow also cleared entirely at plus 20%.
| Type | Result | Price change |
|---|---|---|
| Blue fox | All sold | +40% |
| Blue Shadow fox | All sold | +20% |
| Silver fox | All sold | +120% |
| Blue Frost fox | All sold | Clearly increasing |
| Mutation foxes | All sold | Clearly increasing |
| Finnraccoon | All sold | Increasing |
The Blue Shadow top lot was purchased at a record 2,400 euros per pelt, the highest price ever achieved for the type.
Asian markets driving demand: sable and bobcat emerge
China dominated purchasing across every day of the auction, supported by approximately 290 Chinese buyers registered on site. A strong retail season in China heading into spring provided the fundamental demand signal that underpinned the bullish bidding environment. South Korea played a meaningful supporting role, particularly in the North American mink group and fox sessions.
Beyond the auction results, a significant trend worth watching is the sharp spike in demand for Russian sable in Asian markets. Long prized in luxury fashion for its unmatched softness and sheen, sable is seeing renewed appetite from both Chinese and South Korean buyers, reflecting a broader move toward classic prestige furs. Bobcat has also emerged as a rising interest in Asian sourcing, attracting attention for its distinctive spotted texture and versatility in both outerwear and accessory applications.
Kastoria: "The Silent Evolution"
The 51st edition of the Kastoria International Fur Fair opened with the energy of a trade that knows it is back. Buyers from over 30 countries were present from the first day, engaging immediately in commercial discussions and new partnership negotiations, a level of activity that organisers described as notably strong even by the fair's established standards.
The fair's aesthetic has been refreshed this year, with a more functional layout that focuses attention on the collections themselves. The commercial intent is deliberate: this is a buying fair, and the presentation reinforces that.
What the collections are showing
The direction for the coming winter season is clear across the exhibiting houses. Womenswear and menswear are built around structured silhouettes, volume with intention rather than volume for its own sake. Fur accessories and interior pieces are being presented within a lifestyle framework, moving fur beyond outerwear into a broader luxury living context. The key materials defining the season are mink, sable, fox, swakara, and chinchilla.
The gala
The opening was marked by the Fashion Gala Show "The Silent Evolution", hosted by Saga Furs as Grand Sponsor, featuring twelve international companies. Among the most closely watched participants was MANZARI, whose collection drew immediate attention, a reflection of the house's long-standing policy of sourcing exclusively from the top quality grades available at auction. The show offered a contemporary reinterpretation of fur, with collections carrying strong aesthetic direction and clear commercial relevance.
MANZARI has built its reputation on a straightforward principle: only the finest pelts make it into a finished garment. At a moment when the market is rewarding quality at every price point, that discipline is proving to be not just an aesthetic choice, but a commercial one.
What this means for the season ahead
The combination of signals from Helsinki and Kastoria paints a consistent picture. Prices are resetting at a new, higher level. Demand is not concentrated in a single market; it spans China, Korea, Turkey, and the European fashion industry simultaneously. The range of types achieving full clearance at double-digit and triple-digit price increases suggests this is a structural shift rather than a short-term spike.
For houses like MANZARI, whose sourcing strategy has always prioritised the highest available grades, the new price environment is a vindication of that approach. The premium commanded by top-quality pelts has never been more visible, and the demand signals from Asia suggest it will only grow more pronounced through 2026.
"Similar price increases have not been seen before. Confidence has recovered, and demand for all types of mink pelts is strong."
Markus Gotthardt, CEO, Saga FursSaga Furs' next auction takes place in June 2026. For designers, buyers, and producers watching the calendar, the March results have established the reference point against which that June sale will be measured, and expectations are high.
References
- Saga Furs. March 2026 Auction Reports and Stock Exchange Releases. www.sagafurs.com
- Kastoria International Fur Fair. The Opening Pulse, 51st Edition, April 2026. furfairkastoria.com
- MANZARI. Present across all auction days at Saga Furs March 2026 and at the 51st Kastoria International Fur Fair, April 2026.
