To better investigate the textile, garment, and sewing machinery market in Russia and to explore future cooperation potential and directions, a delegation from China's sewing machinery industry, led by Chen Ji, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Sewing Machinery Association(CSMA), conducted a market research and exchange visit to Russia from September 12 to 16, 2024. The delegation is consisted of companies including NICERBT, Lejiang, Original, Xinanhe, Moss, Shirferly and etc.

The delegation visited Saint Petersburg, Moscow and other cities, paid visit to well-known Russian sewing equipment and garment companies such as Aurora, Dantprint, Royangda, and Vizanti. The delegation held discussion with companies leaders about the current status and trends of sewing equipment in Russia and investigated garment production lines to study the use and demand for sewing equipment.

The delegation learned that, demand in Russian textile and garment market has been growing in recent years, but local production capacity in the textile and garment manufacturing industry remains insufficient, with a high dependence on imports, around 70% of the raw materials of textile industry need to be imported. Key import sources, including China, Germany, Italy, and Turkey, are playing significant role in Russia's garment market. As Russia's economy improves and residents' income rises, the country’s demand for textiles and garments continues to grow. Russia's textile market has an annual consumption of $17 billion, and $36 billion for garment market. China is Russia's main supplier of textiles and garments. With the deepening of the "Belt and Road" initiative, China's advantages on innovations and high cost-effectiveness in textiles, combined with Russia's strengths in market promotion and design, offer opportunities for complementary advantages. Additionally, the withdrawal of Western companies from the Russian market has provided Chinese companies with more space and opportunities for growth. In the sewing equipment sector, Russian domestic market is dominated by the local brand Aurora, whose products are mainly OEM-manufactured in China. This presents substantial potential for the expansion of Chinese sewing brands in Russia.

During the visit, the delegation actively introduced the recent development of China's sewing machinery industry to Russian companies, including the latest applications of automation, intelligence, and digital technologies, expressed a desire to strengthen communication and cooperation with Russian garment and sewing enterprises. Chen Ji emphasized that Russia, as one of the world's largest countries with a vast population, has significant potential in the textile and garment industry, despite the short-term fluctuations in market demand due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and related sanctions, the long-term prospects remain a "blue sea." For many years, Chinese sewing machinery companies have focused on product innovation and service upgrading, has established a group of well-known brands with a strong market presence. Hope Chinese sewing companies could seize the opportunity, actively explore the market under understanding Russian market regulations, policies, and business environments, expand market channels, brand influence and popularity in Russia by leveraging their technical advantages and innovation capabilities. He also stressed the importance of strengthening communication and seek mutual benefits with Russian sewing equipment distributors and garment companies, through understanding the characteristics and consumer needs of the local textile and garment market, and helping Russian companies improve their technological and production capabilities. Chen Ji further stated that this visit to Russia and Central Asia is an important step for the sewing machinery industry in responding to the call for comprehensive deepening of reform, advancing Chinese-style modernization, and accelerating the internationalization process. In the face of a complex and volatile international landscape, going abroad is the only way to truly understand the demands and challenges of the global market. In the future, CSMA will continue to support the international development efforts of sewing machinery companies, help them to expand their global market presence, achieve sustainable and healthy growth.