Mink Publication

Mink
ISSN: 1949-1549

Released July 24, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

Pelt Production Up 6 Percent
Mink pelt production in the United States in 2014 totaled 3.76 million pelts, up 6 percent from 2013. Wisconsin, the
largest mink producing State, produced 1,268,760 pelts. Utah, the second largest producing State, produced 958,760 pelts.
The number of pelts by color class as a percent of the total United States production in 2014 is as follows: Black at
50 percent, Mahogany at 24 percent, and Blue Iris at 8 percent. The remaining color classes accounted for 18 percent.
Value of pelts produced during the 2014 crop year was $217 million, up 9 percent from $200 million a year ago. The
average price per pelt for the 2014 crop year was $57.70, up $1.40 from $56.30 in 2013.
Female mink bred to produce kits in 2015 totaled 853,140, up slightly from the previous year.
Percent of total females bred to produce kits in 2015 by color class is as follows: Black at 52 percent, Mahogany at
21 percent, and Blue Iris at 8 percent. The remaining color classes accounted for 19 percent.

Mink Pelts Produced – United States
Million
3.8
3.6
3.4
3.2
3.0
2.8
2.6
2.4
1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2009

2011

2013

Due to sequestration the Mink report was suspended in 2012.

Mink Average Price Per Pelt – United States
Dollars
$100
$90
$80
$70
$60
$50
$40
$30
$20
1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

Due to sequestration the Mink report was suspended in 2012.

2

Mink (July 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Mink Pelts Produced and Females Bred by Color Class – United States: 2013-2015
Pelts produced

Color class

2013

Females bred to produce kits
2014

(number)

2014

(number)

2015

(number)

(number)

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

1,794,900
93,230
111,700
105,100
265,300
866,620
101,480
13,600
38,260
132,750
21,670

1,897,600
80,460
113,750
121,330
305,240
909,650
103,970
13,590
43,100
155,180
19,380

431,350
19,430
26,310
29,480
63,210
205,240
18,250
4,610
9,910
39,040
4,700

439,600
20,920
24,990
32,380
69,680
179,940
16,980
6,640
10,780
46,770
4,460

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

3,544,610

3,763,250

851,530

853,140

Mink Pelts Produced, Average Price, and Value – United States: 1995-2014
Year

Pelts
produced

Average marketing
price

(number)
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004

Value of
mink pelts

(dollars)

(dollars)

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

2,803,100
2,783,200
2,993,300
2,938,100
2,812,500
2,666,100
2,565,300
2,607,300
2,549,000
2,558,100

53.10
35.30
33.10
24.80
33.70
34.00
33.50
30.60
40.10
47.10

148,844,610
98,246,960
99,078,230
72,864,880
94,781,250
90,647,400
85,937,550
79,783,380
102,214,900
120,486,510

2005 ................................................
2006 ................................................
2007 ................................................
2008 ................................................
2009 ................................................
2010 ................................................
2011 ................................................
2012 1 ..............................................
2013 ................................................
2014 ................................................

2,637,800
2,858,800
2,828,200
2,820,700
2,866,700
2,840,200
3,091,470
(NA)
3,544,610
3,763,250

60.90
48.40
65.70
41.60
65.10
81.90
94.30
(NA)
56.30
57.70

160,642,020
138,365,920
185,812,740
117,341,120
186,622,170
232,612,380
291,525,621
(NA)
199,561,543
217,139,525

(NA) Not available.
1
Due to sequestration the Mink report was suspended.

Mink (July 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

3

Pelts Produced by Color Class – Selected States and United States: 2013
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 ...................................

143,000
63,000
67,000
39,000
71,000
4,200
66,000
197,000
33,000
(D)
295,000
67,000
730,000

7,000
(D)
29,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
31,000
(D)

3,200
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
11,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
27,000

12,500
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
6,500
35,000
37,000

3,300
(D)
(D)
34,000
(D)
(D)
76,000
18,500
2,300
(D)
108,000

164,000
(D)
36,000
2,700
86,000
(D)
30,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
365,000
(D)
101,000

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

19,700

26,230

70,500

14,100

23,200

81,920

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

1,794,900

93,230

111,700

105,100

265,300

866,620

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)
(D)
11,500

760
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

(D)
(D)
6,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
93,000

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

345,590
97,180
109,640
56,500
244,520
18,330
104,900
309,350
79,530
(D)
855,380
95,000
1,129,960

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

101,480

2,100

37,500

33,750

14,170

98,730

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

101,480

13,600

38,260

132,750

21,670

3,544,610

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Other States include Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and 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 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Pelts Produced by Color Class – Selected States and United States: 2014
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 ...................................

139,000
68,000
45,000
36,000
84,000
9,000
68,000
215,000
36,000
(D)
320,000
73,000
800,000

7,500
27,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
37,000
1,100

4,300
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
8,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
31,000

17,500
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
9,000
40,000
39,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
40,000
(D)
(D)
80,000
19,000
(D)
1,500
(D)
138,000

164,000
(D)
34,000
2,300
82,000
9,500
18,500
(D)
(D)
(D)
425,000
(D)
117,000

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

4,600

7,860

70,450

15,830

26,740

57,350

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

1,897,600

80,460

113,750

121,330

305,240

909,650

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)
(D)
7,500

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

(D)
(D)
8,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
115,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
3,900

357,970
97,740
85,700
53,200
255,930
25,730
95,800
333,050
87,430
(D)
958,760
104,100
1,268,760

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

103,970

6,090

43,100

32,180

15,480

39,080

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

103,970

13,590

43,100

155,180

19,380

3,763,250

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Other States include New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and 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 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

5

Female Mink Bred to Produce Kits by Color Class – Selected States and United States: 2014
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 ...................................

35,000
19,500
18,500
12,000
17,000
1,600
15,000
42,000
7,000
(D)
77,000
17,500
168,000

1,700
(D)
6,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

1,100
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
1,900
(D)
(D)
(D)
7,000

4,100
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
2,700
2,400
9,000
10,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
8,500
(D)
(D)
16,000
4,700
750
(D)
27,000

40,000
(D)
11,000
1,100
24,000
2,700
7,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
80,000
(D)
27,000

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

1,250

11,730

16,310

1,280

6,260

12,440

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

431,350

19,430

26,310

29,480

63,210

205,240

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)
3,700

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

(D)
(D)
1,700
3,500
(D)
(D)
(D)
230
28,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
2,000

85,660
27,590
31,290
17,500
62,910
6,410
24,260
67,900
18,700
(D)
200,680
23,900
276,990

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

18,250

910

9,910

5,610

2,700

7,740

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

18,250

4,610

9,910

39,040

4,700

851,530

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Other States include Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and 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 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Female Mink Bred to Produce Kits by Color Class – Selected States and United States: 2015
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 ...................................

58,000
18,000
13,000
12,000
17,000
970
13,500
43,000
7,000
(D)
80,000
16,500
158,000

1,700
5,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
11,500
(D)

2,100
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
6,500

5,000
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
2,700
2,800
(D)
10,000
10,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
14,000
4,400
(D)
(D)
(D)
29,000

40,000
(D)
11,500
850
14,500
1,500
4,600
(D)
(D)
76,000
(D)
21,000

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

2,630

2,720

16,390

1,880

22,280

9,990

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

439,600

20,920

24,990

32,380

69,680

179,940

States

Pearl
(number)

Lavender

Violet

White

Other

Total 2

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

(number)

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

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

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
4,400

(D)
(D)
(D)
1,600
(D)
(D)
(D)

(D)
(D)
(D)
1,800
4,200
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
34,000

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
1,600

113,500
25,670
26,180
17,550
51,210
3,990
20,250
66,910
19,320
(D)
211,810
21,040
268,690

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

16,980

2,240

9,180

6,770

2,860

7,020

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

16,980

6,640

10,780

46,770

4,460

853,140

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Other States include New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and 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 2015)
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 3.76 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

8

0

34

6

1

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

0.9

1.7

3

0

15

5

1

8

Mink (July 2015)
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
Alissa Cowell-Mytar – Cold Storage ....................................................................................................... (202) 720-4751
Heidi Gleich – Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery ................................................................................ (202) 720-0585
Michael Klamm – Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ................................................ (202) 690-3237
Tom Kruchten – Census of Aquaculture .................................................................................................. (202) 690-4870
Kim Linonis – Layers, Eggs ..................................................................................................................... (202) 690-8632
Sammy Neal – Catfish Production, Egg Products, Mink, Trout Production ............................................ (202) 720-3244
Joshua O’Rear – Honey ............................................................................................................................ (202) 690-3676

Mink (July 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

9

Access to NASS Reports
For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:
 All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov
 Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free
subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the “Follow NASS” box under “Receive reports by Email,”
click on “National” or “State” to select the reports you would like to receive.
For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540,
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: [email protected].

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for
employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where
applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's
income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program
or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or
employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination
Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or
call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the
form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at
[email protected].