Sweden is set to become a fur farming-free country, as all 27 remaining mink breeders, according to SVT, have applied to shut down their operations. The decision marks a pivotal moment for animal rights in the country and could spell the end of mink farming in the Nordics altogether.
The mass closure follows a government inquiry launched in March 2025 to explore a ban on fur animal farming (pälsdjursuppfödning), which in Sweden effectively concerns only mink farms. Rather than await the final report, expected later this year, the industry has chosen to voluntarily dissolve itself.
Financial incentives drive swift exit from the industry
The Swedish Government has offered SEK 180 million (approx. €15.5 million) in compensation to breeders who shut down by 30 June 2025. The amount each receives depends on the number of breeding females they own.
“Those accepting this support are the Swedish mink farming industry,” said Jörgen Martinsson, CEO of the now-defunct trade group Svensk Mink. “The idea that someone might start again from scratch seems completely unrealistic.”
Martinsson confirmed that Svensk Mink itself is also winding down, remaining active only during the disbursement process.
Echoes of Denmark’s controversial COVID-era culling
The closure of Swedish mink farms inevitably recalls the 2020 Danish mink cull, a dramatic event that saw over 15 million minks killed amid fears of a mutated strain of coronavirus. The decision, made hastily and later ruled illegal by Danish courts, sparked political upheaval and severely damaged public trust.
While Sweden’s approach is voluntary and incentivised, the similarity has reignited debate around the ethics and risks of fur farming, particularly concerning animal welfare, zoonotic disease transmission, and sustainability.
A turning point for Nordic fur farming?
Sweden’s decision may influence neighbouring countries still involved in fur production. Finland, for instance, remains a major fur exporter despite international criticism. With increasing pressure from the European Citizens’ Initiative “Fur Free Europe” and shifting consumer preferences, experts believe the Nordic fur trade could be nearing its end.
As Sweden closes this chapter, the move represents not only a victory for animal rights advocates, but also a broader societal shift away from animal exploitation in fashion and luxury industries.
