Wisconsin continues to be the leader in the U.S. for mink pelt production and females bred, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The State’s pelt production in 2023 totaled 514,130 pelts. Utah was the second-largest producing
state with 138,550 pelts. Nationwide, mink pelt production during 2023 totaled 973,510 pelts, down
28 percent from 2022. Wisconsin’s production was down 10 percent in 2023 and accounted for 53 percent of the nation’s total pelt production.
Female mink bred to produce kits in Wisconsin in 2024 totaled 118,800, down 10 percent from last year. Utah came in second with 28,650 females bred. Nationally, females bred to produce kits in 2024 totaled 216,470, down 14 percent from 2023. Wisconsin accounted for 55 percent of the total number of females bred in the U.S.
The value of U.S. pelts produced during the 2023 crop year was $33.1 million, down 10 percent from $36.6 million a year ago. The average price per pelt for the 2023 crop year was $34.00, $6.80 higher than $27.20 in 2022.
