The head of the International Fur Trade Federation said on Jan 15 in Beijing that the group expects strong fur sales in China's smaller cities in the next decade.

"Due to raising income and urbanization, fur consumption in 250 Chinese second-tier cities will be strong in the next 10 years," said Mark Oaten, CEO of the federation.

China has been the world's largest fur production and consumption market since 2011. In 2012, fur sales reached $15 billion worldwide, and the figure in Asia hit $5.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10 percent, it said.

The London-based federation represents 42 national fur trade associations and organizations from 35 countries. Members com from the entire fur-supply chain: farmers, trappers, auction houses, merchants, brokers, buyers, dressers and dyers, designers, manufacturers, wholesalers, marketing organizations and retailers.