Russia's footwear output drops 12.4% amid import surge
Russian footwear production fell by 12.4% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while imports rose by 3.5%. Domestic manufacturers face increased competition from Chinese suppliers offering lower prices on Russian marketplaces, along with high operating costs and declining consumer spending.
Consensus
- Russian footwear production decreased by 12.4% year-on-year in the first half of 2026.
- The volume of footwear produced in Russia in January–June 2026 was 97.6 million pairs.
- Production of shoes dropped by 36.5% year-on-year, the most significant decline among segments.
- Import of footwear into Russia increased by 3.5% year-on-year in the same period.
- The volume of imported footwear in January–June 2026 reached 200.9 million pairs.
- Chinese suppliers are increasingly active on Russian marketplaces and offer lower prices.
- Domestic manufacturers face high operating costs, including expensive credit, logistics, materials, and marketplaces commissions.
- Some domestic producers are reducing output or closing down.
- The gap left by declining domestic production is being filled by imported footwear, primarily from China.
Points of divergence
- The average price of footwear is rising at moderate rates of about 3-4% over the half-year. — tg_govorit_nemoskva
- The average price of boots increased by 4.1% year-on-year, shoes by 2.7%, slippers by 2.9%, and ankle boots decreased by 28.8%. — kommerstant
- The Russian Union of Leather and Footwear Manufacturers requested the government to introduce a 22% VAT on non-food goods ordered abroad starting in 2027. — tg_govorit_nemoskva
- Experts consider the growth of imports a long-term trend. — tvrain
- The largest share of imported footwear was boots (62.4 million pairs, 31% of total imports), followed by shoes (39.4 million pairs, 15.6%). — kommerstant
Coverage (6 sources)
- Russian footwear enterprises reduce production output — ASTRA
- «Enterprises are closing down». In Russia, a catastrophic drop in footwear production has begun — The Moscow Times
- Footwear production fell in Russia — due to unequal competition with imports and worsening working conditions for local companies — Говорит НеМосква
- In Russia, footwear production decreased by 12.4% — Дождь (Telegram)
- In Russia, footwear production decreased by 12.4% — Дождь
- In Russia, footwear production fell by 12% — Коммерсантъ