Chamois, patent and metallised leather market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chamois, patent and metallised leather in Russia measured 2.8 million m² in 2018. It then contracted, influenced by tax policy changes and macroeconomic uncertainty ahead of a VAT increase. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further reduced demand and disrupted supply chains, bringing the market to 1.9 million m². A modest recovery to 1.9 million m² followed in 2021, coinciding with the launch of domestic production for lacquered and metallised leather types that were previously not manufactured in the country.

Sanctions and import restrictions from 2022 onward triggered a sharp market contraction to 1.2 million m², reshaping supply chains and increasing the role of goods from the EAEU and China. The market stabilized near this level in 2023 as producers expanded the assortment to include leather from sheep, lamb, and pig skins. Continuing geopolitical risks and currency fluctuations pressured the market in 2024, reducing its volume to 1.0 million m². For 2025, the introduction of mandatory labeling for leather goods and apparel from March 1 is affecting market logistics, while production volumes have continued to trend lower.

Production chamois, patent and metallised leather in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K m²

Russia's production of chamois, patent, and metallised leather has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1 559 thousand square meters of these leathers, which represents a 34.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 47.1%, with an average annual decline rate of 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

Exports chamois, patent and metallised leather from Russia

Exports in kind, m²

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, the volume of chamois, patent, and metallised leather leaving Russia totaled 28 479 square meters, marking a substantial decline of 20.4% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 35 786 square meters, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, at 259.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, m²

From 2018 to 2021, Russia's exports of chamois, patent, and metallised leather were primarily directed towards Belarus, which accounted for 94.6% of the total export volume.

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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over these years. Export values varied 1.8-fold, with the lowest point in 2018 and the highest in 2019. In 2021, the value of chamois, patent, and metallised leather deliveries from Russia amounted to 306 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp drop of 21.6% compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 436 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-over-year increase also occurred in 2019, at 78.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus remained the dominant partner for Russia's exports of chamois, patent, and metallised leather in value terms, holding an 88.7% share of total flows. Other markets contributed much smaller portions, forming a long tail in the export structure.

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

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

Imports chamois, patent and metallised leather to Russia

Imports in kind, m²

Import volumes displayed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. The lowest point was in 2020, and the highest in 2021, with a 2.2-fold variation between these years. In 2021, Russia imported 84 529 square meters of chamois, patent, and metallised leather, equivalent to a dramatic year-over-year increase of 122.6%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 37 976 square meters, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, at 28.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, m²

Throughout 2018–2021, South Korea and Italy were the main sources for Russia's imports of chamois, patent, and metallised leather in volume terms, together accounting for 84.9% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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 imports of chamois, patent, and metallised leather in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 969 thousand US dollars worth of these leathers, which is 68.3% higher than in 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, however, imports decreased by 14.7%, with an average annual decline rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 566 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-over-year decline also occurred in 2019, at 50.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, South Korea (40.0% of import value), Italy (37.1% of import value), and Pakistan (10.6% of import value) led the structure of Russia's imports of chamois, patent, and metallised leather in value terms. Together, these three countries represented 87.8% 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