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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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7

Gator Biz Caught in Jaws of Recession

Egg collection shrinks

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(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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7 comments
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SemperFI
Oct 22, 09 2:22 PM CDT
Ok guys. We got to let Wall Street get their big bonsuses so they can help these farmers. I wonder if these guys will get a bailout. No,they have no friends on the "Hill" Reply
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+2
JoeQ
Oct 22, 09 2:40 PM CDT
Sounds like they really have a reptile dysfunction. Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
chicken
Oct 23, 09 9:44 AM CDT
wow. awesome.
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0
ReggieDoobar
Oct 22, 09 5:17 PM CDT
Shoes on the other foot now, gator boys! Reply
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0
cedarkey
Oct 22, 09 7:43 PM CDT
Last I checked gators are #1 in BCS. Reply
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-1

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