Greek fur businesses are navigating fresh pressure as EU sanctions on Russia tighten trade, cutting off a principal buyer group: Russian visitors who previously drove demand for fur coats. In Kastoria and other hubs, shop owners weigh closures as patterns of consumption shift and markets tighten, according to a regional observer.
Since the mid-1990s, a large portion of Greek fur firms built their models around affluent Russian travelers. With sanctions limiting fur sales to Russians, these goods have moved toward luxury status, shrinking the traditional customer base. The Greek Fur Federation notes that expanding into new markets remains difficult in the current environment.
Industry leaders underline that companies are chasing opportunities only where the conditions look favorable. The federation’s president, Apostolos Tsoukas, emphasizes that even strong state assistance cannot instantly replace lost demand. Firms must carefully weigh prospects before entering new markets, and concerns persist about long-term viability if aid does not translate into sustained demand.
Today Greece hosts roughly two thousand fur-product manufacturers, a sector long dominated by family-owned operations. Nationwide, these firms employ about four thousand people. State support programs have helped manufacturers avoid large layoffs, allowing temporary suspension of up to eighty percent of workforce contracts during downturns. Current policy measures, through September, provide wage support and other relief to preserve the industry amid uncertainty.
Fur products have long been among Greece’s top ten export items, forming a significant pillar of regional and national trade. The industry’s fortunes are closely tied to consumer mood, global fashion cycles, and the ability to adapt to geopolitical shifts that influence purchasing power and import rules.
Beyond Greece, observers point out that sanctions reshuffle global fashion supply chains, affecting producers in other countries who rely on similar high-end markets. This broader view highlights the need for strategic diversification, including exploring new markets, tapping into e-commerce, and developing value-added lines that can sustain production during periods of restricted demand.
In related industry coverage, sources indicate retailers are rethinking inventory and promotional approaches as they respond to shifting consumer behavior and regulatory changes. The central question for many firms remains how to balance short-term liquidity with long-term resilience in a market that continues to evolve.