Russia fur trade overview

Russia plays a complex role in the global fur trade. In 2024, it exported USD 50.9 million worth of raw furskins—mainly to Thailand—while importing just USD 3 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 USD 148.4 million worth of fur garments—mostly from China—while exporting just USD 0.7 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.