Lv Gn 3 (7-08) 

Washington, D.C.

Mink 

Released July 11, 2008, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture. For information on Mink call Toby Paterson at (202) 720-0585, office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 

p.m. ET. 

Pelt Production Down 1 Percent

Mink pelt production in the United States in 2007 totaled 2.83 million pelts, down 1 percent from 

2006. Wisconsin, the largest mink producing State, produced 914,100 pelts. Utah, the second 

largest producing State, produced 599,430 pelts. 

The number of pelts by color class as a percent of the total U.S. production in 2007 is as follows: 

Black at 52 percent, Mahogany at 20 percent, Blue Iris at 10 percent, Demi/Wild at 5 percent, 

White at 4 percent, and Sapphire at 4 percent. The remaining color classes accounted for 5 percent. 

Value of Pelt Production Up 34 Percent

Mink pelts produced during the 2007 crop year, sold in 2008, were valued at $186 million, up 

34 percent from $139 million a year ago. The average price per pelt for the 2007 crop year was 

$65.70, up $17.30 from $48.40 in 2006. 

Females Bred Down 1 Percent

Female mink bred to produce kits in 2008 totaled 691,170, down 1 percent from the previous year. 

Percent of total females bred to produce kits in 2008 by color class: Black at 54 percent, Mahogany 

at 20 percent, Blue Iris at 9 percent, Sapphire at 4 percent, Demi/Wild at 4 percent, and White at 

3 percent. The remaining color classes accounted for 6 percent. 

Number of Mink Farms Up 1 Percent

There were 283 mink farms producing pelts in 2007, up 1 percent from a year ago. The three 

leading States were Wisconsin with 71 farms, Utah with 65 farms, and Idaho with 24 farms. 

Special Note 

The number of mink farms also raising fox will no longer be published. 
 

Mink Agricultural Statistics Board 

July 2008 2 NASS, USDA 

Mink Pelts Produced

United States, 1988 - 2007

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06

Million

Mink Pelts

Mink Pelt Average Price

United States, 1988 - 2007

$20

$30

$40

$50

$60

$70

88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06

Dollars

Dollars Per Pelt
 

Mink Agricultural Statistics Board 

July 2008 3 NASS, USDA 

Mink: Pelts Produced and Females Bred, by Color Class, 

United States, 2006-2008 

Color Pelts Produced Females Bred to Produce Kits 

Class 2006 1

 2007 2007 1 2008 

Number Number Number Number 

Black 

Demi/Wild 

Pastel 

Sapphire 

Blue Iris 

Mahogany 

Pearl 

Lavender 

Violet 

White 

Misc. & Unclassified 

US 

1,395,700 

175,600 

61,550 

110,400 

300,710 

591,400 

66,030 

7,760 

20,560 

125,500 

11,440 

2,866,650

1,461,200 

145,030 

65,250 

103,080 

276,920 

565,380 

59,540 

10,450 

21,580 

104,480 

14,990 

2,827,900

357,700 

31,930 

16,680 

29,110 

69,130 

137,350 

15,280 

2,650 

5,730 

27,520 

3,008 

696,088 

370,600 

29,610 

14,950 

29,040 

65,030 

135,430 

13,240 

1,690 

6,230 

23,550 

1,800 

691,170

1

 Revised. 

Mink: Farms, Pelts Produced, Price, and Value, 

United States, 1988-2007 

Year Mink 

Farms 

Pelts 

Produced 

Average Marketing 

Price 

Value of 

Mink Pelts 

Number Number Dollars Dollars 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

2004 

2005 

2006 1

2007 

1,027 

940 

771 

683 

571 

523 

484 

478 

449 

452 

438 

398 

350 

329 

324 

305 

296 

275 

279 

283 

4,453,100 

4,603,600 

3,365,700 

3,268,200 

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 

2,607,300 

2,549,000 

2,558,100 

2,637,800 

2,866,650 

2,827,900

32.30 

20.40 

25.50 

21.90 

23.80 

34.10 

33.00 

53.10 

35.30 

33.10 

24.80 

33.70 

34.00 

33.50 

30.60 

40.10 

47.10 

60.90 

48.40 

65.70

143,835,130 

93,913,440 

85,825,350 

71,573,580 

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 

79,783,380 

102,214,900 

120,486,510 

160,642,020 

138,745,860 

185,793,030

1

 Revised. 
 

Mink Agricultural Statistics Board 

July 2008 4 NASS, USDA 

Mink: Pelts Produced by Color Class and Number of Farms, 

Major States and United States, 2006 1

States Black Demi/Wild Pastel Sapphire Blue Iris Mahogany 

Number Number Number Number Number Number 

ID 

IL 

IA 

MI 

MN 

OH 

OR 

PA 

SD 

UT 

WA 

WI 

Oth Sts 2

US 

79,000 

52,000 

87,000 

56,000 

45,000 

147,000 

25,000 

275,000 

36,000 

550,000 

43,700 

1,395,700 

14,500 

40,000 

54,000 

67,100 

175,600 

11,000 

50,550 

61,550 

2,800 

11,000 

12,000 

7,000 

40,000 

37,600 

110,400 

11,500 

8,500 

40,000 

84,000 

14,000 

7,000 

27,000 

97,000 

11,710 

300,710 

74,000 

76,000 

23,000 

220,000 

102,000 

96,400 

591,400 

 Pearl Lavender Violet White Misc. & 

Unclassified 

Total 

Pelts 

Number 

of Farms 

Number Number Number Number Number Number Number 

ID 

IL 

IA 

MI 

MN 

OH 

OR 

PA 

SD 

UT 

WA 

WI 

Oth Sts 2

US 

66,030 

66,030 

800 

6,960 

7,760 

800 

19,760 

20,560

9,500 

1,500 

57,000 

57,500 

125,500

2,000 

5,500 

3,940 

11,440

204,500 

65,520 

141,250 

54,550 

242,950 

78,300 

283,900 

66,000 

82,500 

622,890 

92,000 

890,200 

42,090 

2,866,650 

25 

7 

17 

9 

23 

7 

18 

10 

3 

66 

9 

69 

16 

279

1

 Revised. 

2

 "Other States" include some pelts from the above listed States which were not published to avoid disclosing 

individual operations. Published color classes may not add to the State total. 
 

Mink Agricultural Statistics Board 

July 2008 5 NASS, USDA 

Mink: Pelts Produced by Color Class and Number of Farms, 

Major States and United States, 2007 1

States Black Demi/Wild Pastel Sapphire Blue Iris Mahogany 

Number Number Number Number Number Number 

ID 

IL 

IA 

MI 

MN 

MT 2

OH 

OR 

PA 

SD 

UT 

WA 

WI 

Oth Sts 3

US 

95,000 

47,000 

80,000 

53,000 

9,000 

43,000 

158,000 

27,000 

260,000 

62,000 

590,000 

37,200 

1,461,200 

42,000 

103,030 

145,030 

10,500 

54,750 

65,250 

11,500 

9,500 

7,000 

38,000 

37,080 

103,080 

12,500 

8,500 

31,000 

88,000 

12,000 

10,500 

15,000 

91,000 

8,420 

276,920 

78,000 

70,000 

21,000 

220,000 

98,000 

78,380 

565,380 

 Pearl Lavender Violet White Misc. & 

Unclassified 

Total 

Pelts 

Number 

of Farms 

Number Number Number Number Number Number Number 

ID 

IL 

IA 

MI 

MN 

MT 2

OH 

OR 

PA 

SD 

UT 

WA 

WI 

Oth Sts 3

US 

59,540 

59,540 

1,600 

8,850 

10,450 

21,580 

21,580

10,000 

17,000 

1,900 

50,000 

25,580 

104,480

9,000 

4,400 

1,590 

14,990

221,000 

59,060 

135,850 

52,580 

218,500 

25,930 

73,500 

278,500 

70,240 

73,000 

599,430 

95,000 

914,100 

11,210 

2,827,900 

24 

7 

17 

9 

23 

8 

9 

18 

11 

3 

65 

9 

71 

9 

283

1

 Revised. 

2

 Montana previously published in "Other States" category. 

3

 "Other States" include some pelts from the above listed States which were not published to avoid disclosing 

individual operations. Published color classes may not add to the State total. 
 

Mink Agricultural Statistics Board 

July 2008 6 NASS, USDA 

Female Mink Bred to Produce Kits: Number by Color Class, 

Major States and United States, 2007 1

States Black Demi/Wild Pastel Sapphire Blue Iris Mahogany 

Number Number Number Number Number Number 

ID 

IL 

IA 

MI 

MN 

OH 

OR 

PA 

SD 

UT 

WA 

WI 

Oth Sts 2

US 

23,000 

14,500 

26,000 

14,000 

10,500 

33,000 

7,000 

70,000 

15,000 

132,000 

12,700 

357,700 

9,500 

8,500 

13,930 

31,930 

990 

3,400 

12,290 

16,680 

2,200 

3,800 

2,200 

11,000 

9,910 

29,110 

3,000 

2,000 

8,000 

18,000 

4,000 

2,000 

6,000 

24,000 

2,130 

69,130 

17,500 

19,500 

6,000 

57,000 

20,000 

17,350 

137,350 

 Pearl Lavender Violet White Misc. & 

Unclassified Total 

Number Number Number Number Number Number 

ID 

IL 

IA 

MI 

MN 

OH 

OR 

PA 

SD 

UT 

WA 

WI 

Oth Sts 2

US 

15,280 

15,280 

500 

2,150 

2,650

350 

5,380 

5,730

2,300 

4,400 

470 

15,000 

5,350 

27,520

1,800 

1,208 

3,008 

51,690 

17,920 

38,500 

12,330 

58,140 

18,900 

57,810 

18,930 

17,300 

155,418 

24,750 

214,900 

9,500 

696,088

1

 Revised. 

2

 "Other States" include some pelts from the above listed States which were not published to avoid disclosing 

individual operations. Published color classes may not add to the State total. 
 

Mink Agricultural Statistics Board 

July 2008 7 NASS, USDA 

Female Mink Bred to Produce Kits: Number by Color Class, 

Major States and United States, 2008 

States Black Demi/Wild Pastel Sapphire Blue Iris Mahogany 

Number Number Number Number Number Number 

ID 

IL 

IA 

MI 

MN 

MT 1

OH 

OR 

PA 

SD 

UT 

WA 

WI 

Oth Sts 2

US 

26,000 

14,500 

25,000 

6,000 

15,500 

4,000 

11,500 

32,000 

6,500 

67,000 

15,000 

142,000 

5,600 

370,600 

8,000 

3,700 

10,000 

7,910 

29,610 

1,100 

2,600 

11,250 

14,950 

2,200 

2,500 

3,500 

11,500 

9,340 

29,040 

2,700 

8,500 

19,500 

3,300 

1,600 

4,500 

21,000 

3,930 

65,030 

18,000 

16,500 

6,000 

57,000 

22,000 

15,930 

135,430 

 Pearl Lavender Violet White Misc. & 

Unclassified Total 

Number Number Number Number Number Number 

ID 

IL 

IA 

MI 

MN 

MT 1

OH 

OR 

PA 

SD 

UT 

WA 

WI 

Oth Sts 2

US 

13,240 

13,240 

500 

1,190 

1,690

3,200 

3,030 

6,230

1,200 

3,900 

290 

14,000 

4,160 

23,550

790 

1,010 

1,800 

51,770 

17,960 

38,400 

10,300 

54,100 

6,690 

20,100 

57,210 

16,450 

17,700 

155,910 

22,700 

217,830 

4,050 

691,170

1

 Montana previously published in "Other States" category. 

2

 "Other States" include some pelts from the above listed States which were not published to avoid disclosing 

individual operations. Published color classes may not add to the State total. 
 

Mink Agricultural Statistics Board 

July 2008 8 NASS, USDA 

Reliability Statement 

Survey Procedures: Mink production data are collected 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 that do not respond by mail are telephoned or possibly 

enumerated in person. Care is exercised to account for all operations. Major auction houses, which 

handle producer sales, provide mink pelt price data in July. Point of first sales prices, before 

marketing costs are deducted, are collected by producers. 

Estimation Procedures: Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive the estimates from 

reported data. 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: Previous year estimates are subject to revision when current year estimates are 

made. Revisions are the result of late reports or corrected data. 

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 

1.6 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or 

below the current estimate of 2.83 million pelts by more than 1.6 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 

that the difference will not exceed 2.9 percent. 

Reliability of Mink Estimates 1

Difference Between Number of Years 

First and Latest 

Estimates Item 

Root 

Mean 

Square 

Error 

90 Percent 

Confidence 

Level 

Average Smallest Largest 

First 

Above 

Latest 

First 

Below 

Latest 

Percent Percent 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Number Number 

Pelts 

Produced 

Females Bred 

1.6 

1.5 

2.9 

2.7 

82 

19

18 

7

0 

0

149 

28 

1 

1

4 

7

1

 Based on data for the past 10 years. 
 

Mink Agricultural Statistics Board 

July 2008 9 NASS, USDA 

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural 

Statistics Service to contact for additional information. 

Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ................................................................... (202) 720-3570 

Bruce Boess, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section ........................... (202) 720-4447 

 David Colwell - Cold Storage............................................................................. (202) 720-8784 

 Fleming Gibson - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ........... (202) 690-3237 

 Sharyn Lavender - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery, Honey ....................... (202) 720-3244 

 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs ................................................................................ (202) 690-8632 

 Toby Paterson - Catfish Processing, Catfish Production, Trout Production, 

 Census of Aquaculture, Egg Products, Mink........................... (202) 720-0585 
 

 

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