Fur farmers in Finland plan to resume operations after avian influenza culling

A portion of fur farmers is planning to resume operations despite the culling of animals due to avian influenza. Fur farmer Esa Rantakangas had 75,000 animals prior to a directive from the Finnish Food Authority, which mandated the culling of most. He currently has 12,000 animals and is working towards restarting his business, though not necessarily to its previous scale.

The Food Authority ordered the destruction of approximately 250,000 animals from 72 farms last year due to confirmed cases of avian influenza or the detection of antibodies. These farms have been under temporary operational bans. Olli-Pekka Nissinen, a spokesperson for the Finnish Fur Breeders’ Association, believes that most farms will reactivate as the restrictions imposed by authorities ended in the fall. However, he acknowledged that the road to recovery is long, with profitability hinging on market prices for furs. Rantakangas estimates it will take at least three years to rebuild a farm to its former size.

This year’s final count of fur farms is expected to be reported at the end of the year, when the association compiles statistics for its member companies.

The state has provided a total of 51 million euros as compensation for the culled animals, a payment governed by laws regarding animal disease control. Rantakangas notes that obtaining funding in the sector is challenging, especially since many assets, such as buildings, lack collateral value. Motivation to return to farming is often rooted in a desire to carry on family legacies or lifestyles.

Amidst these challenges, some signs of market recovery are emerging. The average price of mink pelts has increased by about 30% since last fall, though sales of fox pelts remain unsatisfactory. The export value of fur products was reported at 303 million euros last year, down from around 800 million over the past decade.