30.09.2026
We asked, what brings international buyers to Saga Furs auction after auction. As the world’s leading marketplace for mink and fox pelts, Saga Furs brings together buyers and producers from across the global fur industry three times a year.
A broad assortment makes buying easy
For buyers, the auction offers access to a wide range of qualities, types, colours and sizes, backed by a grading system that helps them find exactly what their customers need.
For Anthony from China (Hong Kong), the scale and variety of the offering are among the key reasons to come to Saga Furs.
“Saga Furs is the world’s largest supplier of farmed mink and fox, which makes it an important marketplace for the whole industry. Buyers come from all over the world for the assortment,” Anthony says.
He particularly values the detailed grading and the possibility to select pelts according to very specific customer requirements.
“The grading is thorough, and you can find different types, colours, shades, sizes and qualities. If you need something specific, it is easy to find suitable lots and sufficient quantities.”
Ninomiya from Japan also highlights the breadth of the offering as a major advantage for buyers.
“Saga Furs offers the largest collection of mink and fox, which makes it easier to find what you need. For me, the Saga Furs auction is the best place to buy,” Ninomiya says.
Naoum from Greece points to the combination of selection, scale and professional organization.
“You can find all types of mink and fox here and buy the sizes and qualities you need. The quantities are also significant. Saga Furs is a very reliable auction house and a partner you can trust in the long term,” Naoum says.
From left: Anthony (China, Hong Kong), Ben (China), Chad (China), Naoum (Greece), Ninomiya (Japan) and Erol (Türkiye).
Consistent grading creates a common language
For buyers working with customers around the world, consistent grading is an essential part of efficient purchasing.
Ben from China describes Saga Furs’ grading system as a common language for the international fur trade.
“Saga Furs provides a consistent grading system. The standards make buying easier, because when we talk with our customers and other people in the fur industry, we are all on common ground,” Ben says.
He also sees the Saga Furs auction as an important reference point for the wider market.
“What happens in the sale at the Saga Furs’ auction will become a standard and a line for the market. Every time after the auction, the market will cycle up a new line. So, we all need to see the results from Saga.”
For Chad from China, who buys for manufacturers in Haining, reliable sorting and access to high-quality pelts make the purchasing process more straightforward.
“My customers need high-quality skins. Saga Furs sources pelts from best farms. The sorting system is recognized by my clients. They can check the catalogues, tell me what they want. That makes it much easier for me to buy for them,” Chad says.
Transparency builds confidence
Alongside quality and assortment, buyers repeatedly highlight transparency and reliability.
For Erol from Türkiye, transparency throughout the supply chain is one of Saga Furs’ most important strengths.
“Saga Furs provides transparency throughout the supply chain, from farmers to end users. That is very important for buyers,” Erol says.
The auction system also gives buyers confidence that the product they select is the product they will receive.
“When my customer chooses a fur lot, they know exactly what they are buying. The lot they select is exactly what they will also receive. There are no surprises.”
Certification is becoming increasingly important
The buyers also agree that certification and traceability are playing a growing role in the market. Their customers increasingly want information about where the raw material comes from and how it has been produced.
Anthony sees this clearly in Asian markets.
“Certification is extremely important because customers in both retail and wholesale want traceability. In China and Korea, more and more customers are asking for labels and want to know where the fur comes from,” he says.
Ben has witnessed the same change in China, particularly with the growth of online retail.
“Years ago, certification was much less important. Today, customers increasingly ask for the label when they buy. Online retail platforms also want certificates that show the product is genuine and where it comes from. The importance of certification continues to grow,” Ben says.
Naoum sees certification as an important way of strengthening confidence in the entire market.
“The market needs to know exactly where the fur comes from. For us, certification is a very positive thing,” he says.
For Erol, certification connects the different stages of the value chain.
“From the farmer to the auction, from the dressing house to the end user, the supply chain is transparent and traceable. The labels support this transparency and help me assure my customers that the product is responsibly produced and of high quality.”
A global meeting place for the industry
The interviews show that buyers come to Saga Furs for more than just individual lots. The auction brings together professionals from different parts of the international fur trade, creating opportunities to meet, build relationships and exchange market information.
“People come here from different parts of the trade, so we have good opportunities to exchange information,” Ninomiya says.
For Ben, the same international community is an important part of the auction experience.
“Many people come here and meet old friends and familiar faces. It feels like home.”
That combination of choice, quality, transparency, market knowledge and long-term relationships continues to bring buyers from around the world to Saga Furs.
