Opossum skin prices down

Press, 19 April 1980, Page 12

Opossum skin prices down

PA Dunedin Although prices fell drastically In some, grades in an opossum skin auction at Dunedin, the over-all average sale price was similar to the over-all sale average recorded at the February auction. After reselling high prices at the last sale in February, the market could be quoted as being 15 to 20 per cent down on large skins. Medium to large skins were down 15 to 18 per cent and over-all, skins fell 10 per cent. The sale was the sixth of the 1979-80 season held by Dalgety’s and 229,000 were offered for sale. Most were spring to summer

skins and the fur quality was better than what would be expected this time of the year. A reasonably full bench of buyers attended' the sale, although bidding was restricted on the large skins. . The top price at the sale was Sl9 74 compared with the very high $25.42 reached at the February sale. The average price for large grades fell from $14.54 in February to $12.19, and the average ‘price for medium to large grades fell to $7.90 from 59.31 at the previous sale. The overall sale average was $7.13, compared with $7.80. Prices Grade I.—Large: red brown, 515.94; dark brown, $19.74; red neck, $12.80; pale, $12.95; grey, $15.75. Medium to large: dark, $l5; pale. $9; grey, $7.55. Medium dark. $11.25; light, $6.45. Grade 2.—Large: red brown, $l4 91; dark brown, $15.45; red neck, $10:74; pale, $10.52; grey, $11.94. Medium to large: dark, $10.18; red neck, $9; pale, $9.03; grey, $9. Medium dark, $8.30; light, $6.41. Grade 3.—Large: red brown, $12.35; dark brown, $12.30; red neck, $8.92; pale, $9.40; grey, 59.80. Medium to large: dark, $8.28; red neck, $6.42; pale, $6.54; grey, $6.57. Grade 4.—Fourths: dark, $3.53; light. $4.20.