GREEK FURRIERS WERE LEFT OUT OF BUSINESS

The fur industry, which has been actively developing in Greece, is failing. Sanctions against Russians, established by the European Union, prohibit the sale of furs to Russians, which are indicators of luxury. Greek enterprises are also unable to enter the Asian market yet.

Fur products are one of the ten categories of Greek exports. Revenue has been declining recently. Animal rights defenders have played a significant role, demanding to finally say goodbye to natural fur. According to one of these groups (VeGaia), the number of mink farms from 2018 to 2020 decreased from 131 to 92.

The export of fur from Greece to the Russian Federation has also suffered a decline. If in 2017 it reached €55 million, then in 2021 it amounted to only €14 million. At the same time, the business model of the fur industry, focused on tourists and wealthy buyers from Russia, has not changed in Greece since the 1990s. Now its implementation has been practically banned.

Currently, there are about 2,000 enterprises operating in Greece, employing about 4,000 employees. Basically, as reported by Reuters, this is a family business, which the state is trying to financially help with measures to curb unemployment. Furriers were allowed to suspend labor agreements with 80% of employees for a period of three summer months. During this period, they will receive benefits from the state.

However, the local furriers' federation doubts that these measures will be able to radically correct the situation. The authorities also hint to businesses that it is time for them to gradually switch to other activities. This was recently stated by the Greek Deputy Prime Minister Akis Skertsos, visiting the city of Kastoria, which is the last major center of the fur industry in Europe.

The Greek authorities made a serious miscalculation, deciding to artificially support the dying sector of the economy. This opinion was expressed by Joe Swabe, PR director of the charity organization Humane Society International.

Animal rights activists believe that the fur industry has already "morally" gone bankrupt. The decline in production in Denmark was affected, where a significant number of minks were culled due to coronavirus. EU sanctions against the Russian Federation, animal advocates believe, will help to say goodbye to natural furs faster, completely abandoning their use.