To Russia with sheepskins

04 August 1998

To Russia with sheepskins

BRITAIN and Ireland are benefiting from strong demand for sheepskins from Russias new rich – but there are fears that the market is about to collapse.

Abattoir operators are beginning to charge higher prices for the skins – £8 or £9 a time – which is “grossly overvalued”, according to Donald Phaup, managing director of the Borders Sheepskin Company in Jedburgh.

Quality is also beginning to suffer, according to Anthony Cox, the Tayside-based secretary of the skin, hide and leather traders association.

• The Scotsman 04/08/98 page 26