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Gator Biz Caught in Jaws of Recession

Egg collection shrinks

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2009 2:18 PM CDT

(Newser) – No industry is safe from the recession, no matter how many teeth it has. The demand for alligator-skin accessories like handbags, watches, and belts has plummeted this year, leaving even top US gator farmers in danger of going out of business, USA Today reports. “This is, by far, the worst market conditions the industry has ever seen,” said one Louisiana coastal resources researcher.

Demand has dried up so badly that Louisiana gator farmers went from collecting 530,000 eggs last year to a mere 30,000 this year. "We can't invest in eggs if the demand is not there," said one farmer. "They're just not selling." The number of wild alligator skins sold plummeted, too, from 35,000 last year to roughly 7,500 this year.

Two alligators lie on the floor waiting to be processed at All American Gator  Products in Hallandale, Fla. Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.
Two alligators lie on the floor waiting to be processed at All American Gator Products in Hallandale, Fla. Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Alligator skin are collected, treated and tanned at the Dade City Alligator Processing Center June 23, 2000, in Florida.
Alligator skin are collected, treated and tanned at the Dade City Alligator Processing Center June 23, 2000, in Florida.   (Getty Images)
An alligator waits to be processed at All American Gator Products in Hallandale, Fla. Monday, Sept. 21, 2009.
An alligator waits to be processed at All American Gator Products in Hallandale, Fla. Monday, Sept. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
USAHomeofthebrave
Oct 23, 2009 12:43 PM CDT
Last I checked gators are #1 in BCS.
Jezze
Oct 23, 2009 8:27 AM CDT
oh darn.
chicken
Oct 23, 2009 2:44 AM CDT
wow. awesome.

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