AT THIS POINT, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FACING CHINESE MANUFACTURERS IS A SHORTAGE OF SKINS, NOT ONLY MINK BUT OTHER FURS AS WELL. New York dealers and brokers have been receiving inquiries for mink, but say that very little is available. The calls are mostly from China, but also Korea. Dealers point out that auction clearances have been excellent and that virtually nothing is available for private treaty. As for European goods, both Scandinavian houses will be selling whatever they have at next month's windup auctions.

THIS YEAR'S MINK PRODUCTION ON DANISH FARMS is projected to equal last year's which, at 14.5 million, represented a record for the world's largest mink producer.