For the period of 10 months of 2012, according to data of official sources, 1.91 billion rub (factory price) of fur goods (excluding headgear) were produced in Russia, which is nearly 4% more in comparison with the same period of 2011 (1.841 billion rub.).* Russian factories produced 3.16 billion rubles of headgear for the period of January – October of 2012 (which is 32% more than for the period of January – October of 2011).

Among companies that are listed in daily updated GLOBAS-i® database, according to their annual financial statements, the largest company in this market sector is OAO Russian Fur (OAO Russky Mekh), Moscow, with 378.7 million rubles in profit. The second largest is OOO Consensus (OOO Soglasie), Stavropol Krai, with 150.13 million and the third is OOO Marital Leather and Fur factory, Mari El Republic, with 139.02 million. 

Today the Russian industry is not able to meet a steadily growing demand for fur products. Russian producers are lacking as technical as well as technological knowledge needed in manufacturing coats from mink hides. Domestic factories, however, have mastered production of women outerwear from refined sheepskin and are now supplying largest amounts of such coats on Russian and international markets. Made in Russia headgears are also in high demand.

As for imported fur products, leading fur producers are Greece, China and Hong Kong generally is in the lead, but fur coats that are made in Italy have always been popular among Russian women. Popular among Russian women «Made in Italy» coats are likely to be sewed in China and the label only means an Italian technology and patterns. 

According to official data for the period of 9 months of 2012 total cost imported fur products in Russia was about 4.46 billion rubles (143.74 million dollars). Total cost of exported fur products by domestic producers was only about 19.14 million rubles (617.36 thousand dollars). 

The main supply of fur products in 2012 was coming from Turkey (22.8%), UAE (19.44%) and Hong Kong (14.78%). 13.24% of total products came from China, 10.5% from Greece and 7.69% from Italy. Coats and other fur goods were exported to Montenegro (55.64%), Turkey (8.64%), UK (7.8%). All percentages are given in value terms.

Table 1. 

Table 2.

Russia exports both processed and raw fur skins of animals. For the period of 9 months of 2012 total cost of exported from Russia fur items was 1.27 billion rubles (41.02 million dollars). For the same period total cost of imported fur skins in Russian market was 555.95 million rubles (17.93 million dollars), some of exported from Russia fur skins might be among them.

Many large producers are purchasing raw material on so called «fur auctions». There are five largest international auctions: two in USA, and one in each Denmark, Finland and Russia. 

Unfortunately, more than a half of imported in Russia furs are coming through «grey schemes». It is caused by extremely complicated and costly international delivery and only few large companies can afford it. On the domestic market the product is transported predominantly by air. Many buyers prefer to trust the delivery of material on outsource logistic companies as it helps to make all relocations more transparent.

Modern fur coats are very diverse by style, colour, material, texture and ways of hide treatment. Most expensive coats are made from lynx belly fur and the price might be equal to a price of a fancy car — more, than 60,000 EU. Russian lynx fur will be even more expensive, because these cats in Russia are listed as endangered species in the Red Book. You will not be able to wear such coat in public as someone might take you for a poacher. Such coats are usually made from Canadian lynxes that were caught on limited territory, where it is allowed. Second most valuable furs are sable and chinchilla. Barguzin sable can be priced as high as 150,000 EU. 

Most popular fur is durable mink, which makes it one of most practical choices. Yet, a lot of people prefer less durable but more delicate and comfortable chinchilla. It is worth mentioning that king's mantles were usually made from chinchilla fur. 

Russia as a cold country in most of its parts is one of primary consumers of fur products — almost three thirds of all world fur production settles here. Experts do not expect this trend to change in coming years. Fur in Russia is still highly desirable.

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*In 2011 2.422 billion rubles of fur goods (excluding headgear) were produced in Russia, which is 45% more than in 2010.

Credinform Information Agency presents its own rating of most sustainable regions of Russian Federation in 2012. This rating is based on Solvency Index GLOBAS-i®* of companies registered in these areas.

According to Credinform specialists, a prevailing number of companies with the best Solvency Index are registered in Moscow — 3,171, followed by the Moscow region with 1,368 companies and there are 1,129 companies in St. Petersburg. There is almost no business with a minimal credit risk in Agin-Buryat region of Zabaykalsky Krai, The Republic of Ingushetia and The Tyva Republic. This distribution is not surprising simply because the business is concentrated in more economically developed parts of Russia.

Most of the companies with minimal credit risk (1.53%) to the total of registered, are located in Chukotka Autonomous region and Nenets Autonomous region (0.8%). Interestingly, St. Petersburg is only 71 on this list of 85 regions with 0.21% of solvent companies and Moscow has even less — 0.19%.   The Republic of Kalmykia with 0.04% and The Republic of Ingushetia with 0.06% are at the very end of the list. 

More than half of the total companies (57.66%) in Altai Republic are unlikely to handle their debts due to either insolvency or inactivity.  They have an insufficient Solvency Index.  A similar situation is observed in the Agin-Buryat region of Zabaykalsky Krai (57.61%) and Tver region (55.06%). Moscow is rated 13 with 46.08% and St.Petersburg is 31 with 40.3%. The most sustainable businesses are located in Moscow and the Kostroma regions with only 22.34% and 23.02% of companies who are insolvent. 

The Agency experts have listed the most sustainable regions by number of registered companies in different solvency groups. Each region was assessed according to the rate of companies with insufficient solvency index and the most credit worthy companies. Cumulative assessment of the companies in each region allowed showing Russian regions with a minimum of insolvent companies and maximum of reliable businesses. Moscow region with the most favorable balance of high and insufficient solvency index is on the top.

Interestingly, both capitals didn't receive a high score: St. Petersburg is listed 72 when Moscow is only 80. It is a result of wide liquidation of companies and great number of short-lived companies in large cities. 

The distribution of companies by industry is not surprising. Wholesalers along with car and motorcycle repair stores have highest Solvency Index (7,539 companies from total amount of companies in wholesales, retail sales and auto repair industry). It should be noted that the leading group in the rating is on the top of other Solvency Index groups. Wholesale and retail sale industry is the largest one in Russia and that might explain why companies of that industry are also leading in highest and medium credit risks groups.

However, there are only 0.25% of wholesale companies in minimal credit risk group. Most reliable companies with lowest credit risk level are electricity, gas and water producers and distributors (2.17%).  Other manufacturers, including furniture, jewelry and toys producers, have only 0.06% in total.

It appears from Table 3 that leather and footwear producers are less likely to meet their debt obligations. There are 44.45% of insolvent companies in that market. Only 18 companies from a total in the industry were granted with high Solvency Index.

Companies that provide educational services are on the bottom of this list with only 6.82% level of insolvency.

More information on current financial status of a company might be found in the GLOBAS-i® database. Reports on different market sectors and industries are available upon request. Please, contact our specialist for details. 

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*Solvency Index GLOBAS-i® is a ratio that determines the solvency and the financial stability of legal entities. It has been developed by Credinform Information Agency in accordance with international standards as well as with consideration of the current Russian economy. It is a measurement of the company’s ability to pay their long term debt and the likelihood of debt refunding. 

The Index is based on past and current financial data and it shows the dynamic of financial flows of the company. The values of the Index vary from - 100 points, which means that a company is financially solid, to 600 points - which indicates the highest credit risk. All companies in the Credinform database are divided into 5 solvency groups, from reliable in terms of partnership to those that will unlikely meet their debt obligations.