The China fur business grew steadily in 2012 despite the economic slowing down, the China Leather Industry Association said on Thursday.

According to the association, China produced 57.75 million leather garments and 4.44 million fur coats last year, which represented a “steady year-on-year growth”.

According to the International Fur Trade Federation, rising demand from the growing middle class in Asia is causing global fur sales to soar.

Demand for fur in Asian markets is up 5 percent year on last year, an increase of $5.6 billion. Sales have more than tripled in the region in the last ten years and global sales now total $15.6 billion.

Mark Oaten, the International Fur Trade Federation CEO, said earlier: "Traditional markets are showing a renewed interest in fur as designers and consumers alike continue to re-ignite their love affair with this commodity. Coupled with this we are seeing continued strong growth in newer markets in Asia where increasing numbers of affluent consumers are flexing their spending power."