Castoreum

[Camdec]

With castoreum prices at such highs I’m curious if anybody knows where it is going. I’ve heard in the making of perfume. Anybody have any insight? Who are the buyers? What are they using it for?

[TrapperMike]

I know it is used in ice cream and that a distillery in New Hampshere uses it in their whisky. $65US for 6 ounce bottle.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Always thought Ladies perfume was largest market.

[bat119]

Oddly enough strawberry flavouring

[TrapperRPR]

I'm aware of it being used in the perfume & cosmetic industry and as a food additive (not exactly a vanilla replacement apparently but still a 'natural ingredient' for flavouring). I've also heard that it was at one time used in the tobacco industry as a flavouring for certain cigarettes; not sure if that is still the case. And, apparently it is used in some types of natural medicine for menstrual cramps, anxiety and insomnia. And, of course, lures for trappers!

[G_Godberson]

I wrote a 3 page article on Castoreum for the Alberta Trapper, about 2 years ago. It was a fascinating story to research, and One of my favourite published stories. There are many uses including perfume, vanilla enhancing capability, medicinal, traditional medicine (First Nation) etc. Interesting as well- a lot of castor is ultimately ending up in new markets like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, China. And yes there is long standing demand from traditional perfume customers in France for instance. One long time buyer (3rd gen buyer!) was very helpful on the story- and did a online presentation to West Central trappers (ATA) last year. Christian Hrab is his name - Montreal. Another fascinating angle is how castor can go back and forth between dry and wet state with humidity, temp. Lot of challenges there

[Camdec]

Originally Posted by G_Godberson

I wrote a 3 page article on Castoreum for the Alberta Trapper, about 2 years ago. It was a fascinating story to research, and One of my favourite published stories. There are many uses including perfume, vanilla enhancing capability, medicinal, traditional medicine (First Nation) etc. Interesting as well- a lot of castor is ultimately ending up in new markets like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, China. And yes there is long standing demand from traditional perfume customers in France for instance. One long time buyer (3rd gen buyer!) was very helpful on the story- and did a online presentation to West Central trappers (ATA) last year. Christian Hrab is his name - Montreal. Another fascinating angle is how castor can go back and forth between dry and wet state with humidity, temp. Lot of challenges there

Interesting. Do you have a link for the article?

[calgarychef]

Seems to me that castoreum is indispensable and ought to be worth a whole lot more than trappers get paid.

[TrapperMike]

We think the same about the furs.

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by TrapperMike

We think the same about the furs.

Yes, but furs aren’t widely used like castoreum… which leads me to think that trappers ought to control the marketing of castoreum through a privately owned co-op etc.

[South west trappin RG]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

Yes, but furs aren’t widely used like castoreum… which leads me to think that trappers ought to control the marketing of castoreum through a privately owned co-op etc.

Chef may be on to something, but I believe there is a synthetic/man made castoreum produced. The real castoreum is preferred but price an availability reflects what is used. I am going to have to look back in some of the Alberta trapper magazines an find Garry G write ups on Castoreum. I probably got my info from reading His research. Garry Goberson aka muskrat/coyote assassin has written articles in our magazine for years always a good read with very interesting history an info.

[TrapperMike]

Read an article that talked about the use of synthetic castorium and how the sales of products that were using it went way down. People could tell the difference and weren’t happy. Companies turned back to the natural product and that is when we started to see the continuing rise in the value of castor.

[kingrat]

Originally Posted by Camdec

Interesting. Do you have a link for the article?

Christian hrab is a great guy and I sell all my castor to him. He pays auction prices, the shipping with no shrinkage and e transfer quickly. 1000 times better than using fha. I'm sure he said that he ships alot of it over to india and Pakistan or something like that.