Mink - Publication

Mink
ISSN: 1949-1549

Released July 6, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

Pelt Production Up 9 Percent
Mink pelt production in the United States in 2011 totaled 3.09 million pelts, up 9 percent from 2010. Wisconsin, the
largest mink producing State, produced 1,050,580 pelts. Utah, the second largest producing State, produced 698,960 pelts.
The number of pelts by color class as a percent of the total United States production in 2011 is as follows: Black at
52 percent, Mahogany at 25 percent, and Blue Iris at 9 percent. The remaining color classes accounted for 14 percent.
Value of pelts produced during the 2011 crop year was $292 million, up 25 percent from $233 million a year ago. The
average price per pelt for the 2011 crop year was $94.30, up $12.40 from $81.90 in 2010.
Female mink bred to produce kits in 2012 totaled 769,970, up 9 percent from the previous year.
Percent of total females bred to produce kits in 2012 by color class is as follows: Black at 51 percent, Mahogany at
25 percent, and Blue Iris at 9 percent. The remaining color classes accounted for 15 percent.
Mink farms producing pelts in 2011 totaled 268, up 1 percent from a year ago.

Mink Pelts Produced – United States
Million
3.1

2.9

2.7

2.5
1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2006

2008

2010

Mink Average Price Per Pelt – United States
Dollars
$100

$90
$80
$70
$60
$50
$40
$30
$20
1992

2

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

Mink (July 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Mink Pelts Produced and Females Bred by Color Class – United States: 2010-2012
Color class

Pelts produced
2010

Females bred to produce kits
2011

(number)

2011

(number)

2012

(number)

(number)

Black ............................
Demi/Wild .....................
Pastel ...........................
Sapphire .......................
Blue Iris ........................
Mahogany .....................
Pearl .............................
Lavender ......................
Violet ............................
White ............................
Other ............................

1,455,600
101,200
66,820
82,480
263,620
725,900
74,900
6,030
9,440
46,800
7,410

1,592,300
95,070
73,730
80,170
291,820
786,500
81,510
8,700
15,060
61,170
5,440

370,500
23,120
17,200
20,380
59,000
171,860
18,600
2,410
3,550
17,780
1,600

392,900
24,960
19,740
22,280
70,670
192,450
16,150
3,100
4,110
22,170
1,440

Total .............................

2,840,200

3,091,470

706,000

769,970

Mink Farms, Pelts Produced, Average Price, and Value – United States: 1992-2011
Year

Mink
farms
(number)

Pelts
produced

Average marketing
price

Value of
mink pelts

(number)

(dollars)

(dollars)

1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001

.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................

571
523
484
478
449
452
438
398
350
329

2,900,000
2,620,300
2,623,200
2,803,100
2,783,200
2,993,300
2,938,100
2,812,500
2,666,100
2,565,300

23.80
34.10
33.00
53.10
35.30
33.10
24.80
33.70
34.00
33.50

69,020,000
89,352,230
86,565,600
148,844,610
98,246,960
99,078,230
72,864,880
94,781,250
90,647,400
85,937,550

2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011

.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................

324
305
296
275
279
283
274
278
265
268

2,607,300
2,549,000
2,558,100
2,637,800
2,858,800
2,828,200
2,820,700
2,866,700
2,840,200
3,091,470

30.60
40.10
47.10
60.90
48.40
65.70
41.60
65.10
81.90
94.30

79,783,380
102,214,900
120,486,510
160,642,020
138,365,920
185,812,740
117,341,120
186,622,170
232,612,380
291,525,621

Mink (July 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

3

Pelts Produced by Color Class – Selected States and United States: 2010
States

Black

Demi/Wild

Pastel

Sapphire

Blue Iris

Mahogany

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

Idaho ...........................................
Illinois ..........................................
Iowa ............................................
Michigan .....................................
Minnesota ...................................
Montana ......................................
Ohio ............................................
Oregon ........................................
Pennsylvania ..............................
South Dakota ..............................
Utah ............................................
Washington .................................
Wisconsin ...................................

111,000
42,000
83,000
28,000
47,000
5,500
57,000
159,000
27,000
(D)
245,000
62,000
570,000

(D)
(D)
37,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

5,500
(D)
(D)
(D)
6,000
(D)
(D)
13,500

8,500
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
12,000
4,900
12,000
(D)
35,000

(D)
(D)
6,500
(D)
22,000
(D)
(D)
69,000
12,500
(D)
(D)
115,000

120,000
(D)
(D)
3,000
85,000
13,000
25,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
300,000
(D)
103,000

Other States 1 .............................

19,100

64,200

41,820

10,080

38,620

76,900

United States ..............................

1,455,600

101,200

66,820

82,480

263,620

725,900

States

Pearl
(number)

Lavender

Violet

(number)

(number)

White

Other

Total 2

(number)

(number)

(number)

Idaho ...........................................
Illinois ..........................................
Iowa ............................................
Michigan .....................................
Minnesota ...................................
Montana ......................................
Ohio ............................................
Oregon ........................................
Pennsylvania ..............................
South Dakota ..............................
Utah ............................................
Washington .................................
Wisconsin ...................................

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
-

(D)
6,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

(D)
(D)
4,500
3,900
(D)
(D)
28,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
4,200

259,300
55,260
111,140
40,500
199,730
21,900
92,000
261,300
64,520
80,000
677,900
86,200
883,430

Other States 1 .............................

74,900

30

9,440

10,400

3,210

7,020

United States ..............................

74,900

6,030

9,440

46,800

7,410

2,840,200

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Other States also includes some pelts from the above listed States that were not published to avoid disclosing individual operations.
2
Published color classes may not add to the State total to avoid disclosing individual operations.

4

Mink (July 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Pelts Produced by Color Class – Selected States and United States: 2011
States

Black

Demi/Wild

Pastel

Sapphire

Blue Iris

Mahogany

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

Idaho ..........................................
Illinois .........................................
Iowa ............................................
Michigan .....................................
Minnesota ...................................
Montana .....................................
Ohio ............................................
Oregon .......................................
Pennsylvania ..............................
South Dakota ..............................
Utah ............................................
Washington ................................
Wisconsin ...................................

138,000
58,000
68,000
27,000
63,000
4,700
55,000
157,000
30,000
(D)
245,000
57,000
670,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
34,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
8,000
(D)
(D)
(D)

9,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
6,000
13,500
39,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
25,000
(D)
(D)
72,000
17,000
3,600
13,500
139,000

141,000
(D)
13,500
(D)
85,000
13,500
27,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
325,000
(D)
115,000

Other States 1 .............................

19,600

61,070

65,730

12,670

21,720

66,500

United States ..............................

1,592,300

95,070

73,730

80,170

291,820

786,500

States

Pearl
(number)

Lavender

Violet

(number)

(number)

White

Other

Total 2

(number)

(number)

(number)

Idaho ..........................................
Illinois .........................................
Iowa ............................................
Michigan .....................................
Minnesota ...................................
Montana .....................................
Ohio ............................................
Oregon .......................................
Pennsylvania ..............................
South Dakota ..............................
Utah ............................................
Washington ................................
Wisconsin ...................................

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
-

(D)
(D)
8,500

(D)
(D)
(D)

(D)
(D)
6,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
46,000

(D)
(D)
4,300

308,260
75,810
87,030
43,200
214,060
20,960
92,200
262,900
70,700
76,000
698,960
82,500
1,050,580

Other States 1 .............................

81,510

200

15,060

9,170

1,140

8,310

United States ..............................

81,510

8,700

15,060

61,170

5,440

3,091,470

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Other States also includes some pelts from the above listed States that were not published to avoid disclosing individual operations.
2
Published color classes may not add to the State total to avoid disclosing individual operations.

Mink (July 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

5

Female Mink Bred to Produce Kits by Color Class – Selected States and United States: 2011
States

Black

Demi/Wild

Pastel

Sapphire

Blue Iris

Mahogany

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

Idaho ...........................................
Illinois ..........................................
Iowa ............................................
Michigan .....................................
Minnesota ...................................
Montana ......................................
Ohio ............................................
Oregon ........................................
Pennsylvania ..............................
South Dakota ..............................
Utah ............................................
Washington .................................
Wisconsin ...................................

30,000
17,000
19,000
8,500
17,000
1,600
13,000
32,000
7,000
(D)
62,000
14,500
144,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
7,500
(D)

1,300
(D)
(D)
(D)
2,000
(D)
(D)
4,200

1,800
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
2,000
4,500
9,000

(D)
(D)
1,900
(D)
5,500
(D)
(D)
14,500
3,900
(D)
(D)
24,000

29,000
(D)
3,500
(D)
20,000
(D)
7,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
73,000
(D)
21,000

Other States 1 .............................

4,900

15,620

9,700

3,080

9,200

18,360

United States ..............................

370,500

23,120

17,200

20,380

59,000

171,860

States

Pearl
(number)

Lavender

Violet

(number)

(number)

White

Other

Total 2

(number)

(number)

(number)

Idaho ...........................................
Illinois ..........................................
Iowa ............................................
Michigan .....................................
Minnesota ...................................
Montana ......................................
Ohio ............................................
Oregon ........................................
Pennsylvania ..............................
South Dakota ..............................
Utah ............................................
Washington .................................
Wisconsin ...................................

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
-

2,400

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

(D)
(D)
(D)
1,300
(D)
(D)
12,500

(D)
(D)
1,300

65,800
20,530
26,210
11,750
53,220
7,040
22,600
54,180
16,520
15,800
168,600
20,000
221,260

Other States 1 .............................

18,600

10

3,550

3,980

300

2,490

United States ..............................

18,600

2,410

3,550

17,780

1,600

706,000

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Other States also includes some females bred from the above listed States that were not published to avoid disclosing individual operations.
2
Published color classes may not add to the State total to avoid disclosing individual operations.

6

Mink (July 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Female Mink Bred to Produce Kits by Color Class – Selected States and United States: 2012
States

Black

Demi/Wild

Pastel

Sapphire

Blue Iris

Mahogany

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

Idaho ..........................................
Illinois .........................................
Iowa ............................................
Michigan .....................................
Minnesota ...................................
Montana .....................................
Ohio ............................................
Oregon .......................................
Pennsylvania ..............................
South Dakota ..............................
Utah ............................................
Washington ................................
Wisconsin ...................................

33,000
17,000
22,000
9,500
18,000
1,400
13,000
35,000
6,000
(D)
68,000
15,000
150,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

1,500
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
1,800
(D)
(D)
3,900

2,700
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
2,600
2,200
4,100
9,500

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
6,500
(D)
(D)
14,500
5,000
(D)
(D)
33,000

38,000
(D)
7,500
(D)
23,000
4,500
5,500
(D)
(D)
(D)
77,000
(D)
23,000

Other States 1 .............................

5,000

24,960

12,540

1,180

11,670

13,950

United States ..............................

392,900

24,960

19,740

22,280

70,670

192,450

States

Pearl
(number)

Lavender

Violet

(number)

(number)

White

Other

Total 2

(number)

(number)

(number)

Idaho ..........................................
Illinois .........................................
Iowa ............................................
Michigan .....................................
Minnesota ...................................
Montana .....................................
Ohio ............................................
Oregon .......................................
Pennsylvania ..............................
South Dakota ..............................
Utah ............................................
Washington ................................
Wisconsin ...................................

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
-

(D)
3,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

(D)
(D)
1,100
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
15,500

(D)
1,400

78,900
23,190
31,420
13,400
59,420
6,910
21,400
58,550
16,920
15,700
178,750
20,600
242,390

Other States 1 .............................

16,150

100

4,110

5,570

40

2,420

United States ..............................

16,150

3,100

4,110

22,170

1,440

769,970

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Other States also includes some females bred from the above listed States that were not published to avoid disclosing individual operations.
2
Published color classes may not add to the State total to avoid disclosing individual operations.

Mink (July 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

7

Statistical Methodology
Survey Procedures: Mink production data are collected from early May through late May from all known producers.
Individual NASS Field Offices maintain a list of all known mink producers and use known sources of producers to update
their lists. All known mink producers are mailed a questionnaire and given adequate time to respond by mail. Those who
do not respond by mail are telephoned or enumerated in person. Care is exercised to account for all operations. Major
auction houses, which handle producer sales, provide mink pelt price data in June. Prices are collected at the point of first
sale, before marketing costs are deducted.
Estimation Procedures: All data are analyzed for unusual values. Data from each operation are compared to their own
past operating profile and to trends from similar operations. Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar
operations or historical data. Field offices prepare these estimates by using a combination of survey indications and
historic trends. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board for reasonableness.
Revision Policy: Revisions to previous estimates are made to improve year-to-year and item-to-item relationships.
Estimates for the previous year are subject to revision when current estimates are made. Estimates will also be reviewed
after data from the five-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date.
Reliability: Mink production estimates are based on a census of all known active producers and therefore, have no
sampling variability. However, estimates are subject to errors such as omissions, duplication, mistakes in reporting,
recording, and processing data. While these errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized through strict quality
control in the data collection process and a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness.
To assist in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this report, the “Root Mean Square Error” is shown for selected
items in the following table. The “Root Mean Square Error” is a statistical measure based on past performance and is
computed using the differences between first and final estimates. The “Root Mean Square Error” for mink pelts produced
over the past 10 years is 0.5 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or
below the current estimate of 3.09 million pelts by more than 0.5 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will
not exceed 0.9 percent.

Reliability of Mink Estimates
[Based on data for the past ten years]
Item

Difference between first and latest estimate

Root mean
square error

90 percent
confidence
level

Average

Smallest

Largest

(percent)

(percent)

(1,000)

(1,000)

(1,000)

Years
Below latest

Above latest

(number)

(number)

Pelts produced ...............................

0.5

0.9

9

0

34

7

1

Females bred .................................

0.9

1.7

4

0

15

7

1

8

Mink (July 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to
contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to [email protected]
Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch .......................................................................................................... (202) 720-3570
Bruce Boess, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section .................................................................. (202) 720-4447
Cody Brokmeyer – Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised .............................................. (202) 690-3237
David Colwell – Cold Storage .................................................................................................................. (202) 720-8784
LaKeya Jones – Catfish Processing, Catfish Production, Trout Production,
Census of Aquaculture, Honey, Egg Products, Mink ......................................................................... (202) 720-0585
Kim Linonis – Layers, Eggs ..................................................................................................................... (202) 690-8632
Miste Salmon – Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery .............................................................................. (202) 720-3244

Mink (July 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

9

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