Artists' colours market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Russian artists' colours market grew steadily, supported by the expansion of major domestic producers and their product ranges, alongside state investment programs. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 sharply increased demand as more people engaged in creative hobbies at home, pushing market volume to over 12 700 t.

Rising raw material and logistics costs, compounded by geopolitical sanctions, led to higher product prices and reduced consumption in 2021 and 2022, shrinking the market to under 10 000 t. This was reflected in a drop in production and a significant increase in retail prices for domestic paints.

The market rebounded strongly in 2023, exceeding 15 700 t, driven by growing consumer interest in eco‑friendly and specialized artists' colours and active marketing campaigns from large manufacturers like Nevskaya Palitra. By 2024, however, market volume decreased again to about 11 600 t.

Production artists' colours in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Russia's production of artists' colors has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 11,067 tons of artists' colors, marking a 26.5% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 65.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports artists' colours from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's exports of artists' colors have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 2,649 tons, up 22.5% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 56.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan were the key partners for Russia's exports of artists' colors in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 20.3% of exports, Belarus for 20.2%, and Kazakhstan for 18.8%. Together, these three countries represented 59.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Russia's export value of artists' colors has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 15,491 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 19.5% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 45.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, Russia's exports of artists' colors in value terms were distributed across many countries. Ukraine held a 17.4% share, Belarus 16.2%, and Kazakhstan 14.9%. Combined, these three partners accounted for 48.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports artists' colours to Russia

Imports in kind, t

The import volume of artists' colors into Russia showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2021. Imports peaked in 2020 at 6,215 tons, then declined to a lower level in 2021, with a 2.1-fold difference between the highest and lowest points over these years. In 2021, imports fell by 23.1% compared to the previous year, reaching a total volume. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020, when imports surged by 95.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China dominated Russia's imports of artists' colors in volume terms, accounting for 77.8% of total flows. Other markets had relatively small shares during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Russia's import value of artists' colors has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 17,322 thousand US dollars, up 6.7% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value rose by 78.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, the main sources for Russia's imports of artists' colors in value terms were China, the Netherlands, and Belarus. China accounted for 69.0% of imports, the Netherlands for 4.3%, and Belarus for 3.9%. Together, these three countries represented 77.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021