An Adelaide company has won a contract to export 10,000 fox pelts to Eastern Europe this winter, reviving a fur trade which was almost destroyed by financial problems in the break-up of the Soviet Union in th Early 1990's

The export contract has again put a value on Australia's foxes because professional shooters get up to $20 for each top quality dried pelt and lesser amounts for lower quality skins.

The Adelaide Wool Company at Gilman will supply red fox furs to Poland and the Czech Republic. The first shipment is due to leave Adelaide at the end of May.

Mr Bob Amos, managing director of Adelaide Wool Company, said the shipment was the first significant order since the Eastern European fur trade collapsed in the early 1990's.

"Five to 10 years ago we were exporting up to 100,000 fox furs a year, but financial problems in Eastern Europe after the break-up of the Soviet Union meant the industry collapsed almost overnight," Mr Amos said.

"In recent years conditions in the Eastern Europe have improved and furriers are again looking overseas to help keep up with demand."

"People in Australia don't realise that fur coats are essential to survive winters in Eastern Europe and many Europeans replace their fur coats on an anual basis."

He said the return of the Eastern Europe market could not have come at a better time for Australian farmers, who were facing mounting problems after an explosion in fox numbers in recent years.

"Foxes in Australia are vermin and are presently in plague proportions, causing havoc among native marsupials and considerable damage to the sheep industry at lambing time," he said.

"The release last year of the calicivirus and drop in rabbit numbers in Australia has increased this pressure, so the return of the fur trade comes at a very opportune time."

Mr Amos said that in the 1970's, Australia had been a significant exporter of fox pelts which helped keep animal numbers in the wild in check. But the collapse of the Eastern European market and a fashion swing against fur meant the price for skins collapsed and fox shooting stopped.

Australian red fox produces a commercial quality fur generally used for trimmings.

Mr Amos said the latest order came from the sale of 500 fox pelts last year and could be the start of a significant upswing in exports.

It is still early days and any significant swing in currency exchange rates could quickly snuff out the present revival," he said.

"But we are hopeful it will again be a significant industry."