In the first half of 2023, Russia saw a clear drop in laptop imports, declining by about 46 percent from the previous peak years to roughly 1.03 million units. This shift went beyond a single quarterly dip; it reflected a broader change in how people purchase electronics and how brands position themselves amid market uncertainty and geopolitical tension. Buyers and retailers recalibrated demand, expected price ranges, and the resilience of supply chains in a volatile environment, reshaping technology procurement practices across the country.
During the same period, locally produced laptops gained momentum, increasing their market share more than fivefold to around 16 percent. The impact was strongest on American brands, as HP and Dell announced meaningful reductions in shipments to Russia. HP reported a double-digit decline, while Dell nearly halted supplies in several distribution channels. These moves signaled a shift toward domestic and regional brands as import patterns adjusted to new realities and strategic considerations.
The decline in imports aligned with an oversaturated market in 2022 and the retreat of Western firms as pandemic disruptions eased; however industry observers stressed there was no hardware shortage. Alexander Surkov, head of the GS Group Center, explained that the decline in imports stemmed from supply chain realignments and changing consumer demand, not from stock shortages on shelves. This view supports a broader understanding that inventories remained available even as buyers altered preferences and procurement strategies, highlighting a nuanced market recalibration rather than a simple squeeze on supply.
Looking ahead, analysts anticipate a notable shift toward Chinese brands that have stepped into the space left by Western players. Russian manufacturers are expanding distribution networks and boosting local production capacity. If the trend continues, domestic production could account for as much as 30 percent of the market by 2025, reshaping competition and influencing the mix of devices offered to shoppers in the years ahead. This potential shift mirrors wider regional patterns where manufacturers diversify sourcing and strengthen domestic capabilities to reduce exposure to foreign disruptions, a strategy echoed across similar markets.
In early August, government programs announced measures aimed at the initial deployment of computing equipment planned for 2024, signaling ongoing state involvement in shaping both software and hardware ecosystems for public and private users. These moves seek to streamline deployments, raise security standards, and reduce reliance on foreign-sourced components in critical sectors. The approach demonstrates how policy can influence procurement habits, vendor choices, and the pace of technology adoption across sectors that depend on reliable IT infrastructure, illustrating an intentional alignment between public policy and market dynamics.
Earlier, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed tax incentives for imported medical equipment, illustrating a broader strategy to balance affordability with domestic industrial development. This policy shift highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure while encouraging local manufacturing and supplier diversification, factors that can influence demand patterns for technology and related services across the economy. Taken together, these developments offer insight into how Russia’s tech landscape is evolving under a mix of market forces and policy measures, with implications for consumers, businesses, and international suppliers seeking to adapt to changing conditions.