Namibia eyes Chinese fur market

Namibia's Swakara Board has identified Chinese high fashion as one of the ideal and strategic markets for Swakara and related products.

Raimar von Hase, Chairperson of the Swakara Board said this following a recent visit by a group of 13 business leaders from the Chinese fur industry.

The group consisted of officials from Kopenhagen Fur and owners of different fur businesses in China, who where in Namibia last week, to familiarise themselves with Namibia's Swakara pelts and Swakara fur operations in Namibia.

The Swakara Board of Namibia in collaboration with Kopenhagen Fur's Beijing office hosted the delegation.

Von Hase on Tuesday said,"the Chinese delegates had the opportunity to visit a Swakara stud farm, 180 km from the capital, Windhoek".

Von Hase said the group was exposed to the Swakara farming processes, from practical animal husbandry to the preparation of pelts for the international auctions.

"Last year, the Swakara Board in cooperation with the Beijing office of Kopenhagen Fur conducted a survey to explore the possibilities of marketing Swakara in China. The survey results provided better understanding of the market, and thus enables the Board to develop and run campaigns that will target designers, manufactures and high fashion fur lovers in China," he added.

Meanwhile, Chris Cui, President of Kopenhagen Fur in China, said, after months of endeavours, the trip to Namibia became a reality. "I am very excited and certain that members of the group have learnt a lot," she added.

Cui was instrumental in assembling the group, which comprised of various stakeholders from China at different levels of the value chain in the fur business; ranging from brokers and designers to furriers, manufacturers, and retailers.

Currently, in collaboration with Kopenhagen Fur, Denmark, the Swakara Board of Namibia promotes and sells Swakara pelts to the worldwide fur industry. China is currently the biggest end user market for furs in the world. Endit