Russia plays a complex role in the global fur trade. In 2023, it exported $26.5 million worth of raw furskins—mainly to Cambodia—while importing just $2.5 million, suggesting a strong domestic trapping and fur farming base. It also engaged in moderate two-way trade of tanned furskins, exporting slightly more than it imported, with China and Italy its top partners.

However, the most striking figure lies in fur clothing: Russia imported $515 million worth of fur garments—mostly from China—while exporting just $0.5 million. These numbers confirm Russia’s position as one of the world’s largest consumers of finished fur fashion, relying heavily on international production.

In recent years, Russian fur fashion has increasingly come under pressure, with exports restricted by Western sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine, contributing to a sharp focus on non-Western trade routes.