Russian-made textiles and apparels now account for 45% of the country’s overall consumption and a revised sector development strategy will lift the goal to a minimum of 60%, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov told a session of the BRICS + Fashion Summit.
Production of textiles and clothing has grown by around 15% annually in the past five years. Last year, domestic production climbed 12.4% while the wider market shrank 3%.
The existing strategy for local production of textiles and garments ad pencilled in a 50% share only by 2035, Alikhanov noted.
“We have already secured roughly 45% of the production, so in the strategy due for approval before the end of this year, we will set a more ambitious bar and raise the target to at least 60%,” he said.
The ministry pointed out that although clothing output leapt 23.5% last year, the sector has entered a period of consolidation since the start of 2026, with textiles growing modestly and apparel production levelling off.
“After several global brands withdrew, the market moved beyond its peak of rapid expansion, and the gaps they left have been partly taken up by new domestic labels,” the ministry said.
Cotton’s slice of apparel fabrics in Russia has fallen to 25-26%, mirroring the global pattern, while synthetics command close to 60%, Alikhanov added.
Demand for natural fabrics is falling in both Russian and overseas markets, he observed. “Three decades ago, cotton represented about half of market volume and synthetics roughly 40%; now cotton sits at 25-26% and synthetics near 60%. Russia is following the worldwide trend,” he said.
Several projects to make new synthetic fibres are under development in Russia, Alikhanov added, and they are being built in partnership with petrochemical firms to meet domestic demand.
The ministry said Russia buys raw cotton from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan but weaves the fabrics at home, placing it seventh worldwide in that segment.
Image courtesy: Topntp26 by Freepik
