Why deer antlers may now be full of eastern promise

THEY are more commonly used by rutting stags to assert their dominance over rivals.

But now Scottish red deer antlers are being sent to China – to be used as an ingredient in love potions.

A cargo of antlers set sail yesterday on a 3 -day trip to the Far East – the first in a new venture by deer farmers to supply the Chinese medicine trade.

Venison producer Rupert Shaw spent a year securing the necessary export licence for the load, having identified a potential buyer through his farm’s website.

In Chinese medicine, the deer antler, also known as Lu Rong, is a highly sought-after commodity and commercial producers have valued Scottish red deer antler at up to £16 per kg, depending on condition, colour, cleanliness and age.

The inner tissue of the antlers is said to cure impotence, boost sexual stamina and increase fertility. It is also used as a general tonic and for treating kidney conditions. It is incorpo- rated in tonics, pills and pastes before being consumed.

Mr Shaw, who is also NFU Scotland’s regional chairman in Dumfries and Galloway, has high hopes that the market will prove a lucrative offshoot.

The cargo left his Gledpark Farm, near Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire, on Friday and is now travelling from Grangemouth docks in Stirlingshire in a 20ft container to Hong Kong. Most of the antlers in the shipment came from his herd, with several other Scottish venison producers contributing antlers to fill the container.

He said: ‘Although it is early days, the potential demand for Scottish deer antlers in Chinese medicinal products could represent a very valuable market for those who are already producing venison, or are planning to keep deer in the future.

‘At current prices of up to £16 per kg of antler, and many adult stags casting a set of antlers that could weigh more than 1 kg, there is a valuable return to be gained if we can secure a foothold in this market.’

‘Could represent a valuable market’