Russia's men's underwear imports nearly doubled in 2006-09

According to a recent report from a Russian business consulting website, the marketing survey conducted by AMIKO Consulting firm titled "The Russian Underwear Market in 2006–2009 and the Russian Underwear Market Forecast in 2010–2012" revealed a significant shift in the import volume of men's underwear in Russia between 2006 and 2009. The data highlights a fluctuating trend that reflects changing consumer preferences and economic conditions during this period.

In 2006, the value of men’s underwear imports into Russia was $23.7 million. This rose sharply to $41.2 million in 2007 and reached a peak of $66.3 million in 2008. However, by 2009, the figure dropped to $46.3 million, indicating a decline after reaching its highest point. In terms of the overall structure of imported underwear, knitted socks products dominated the market, making up 62% of total imports. Women’s underwear accounted for 26%, while men’s underwear represented 12%.

The total value of all imported underwear products increased from $153 million in 2006 to $439 million in 2008, before slightly declining to $399 million in 2009. A similar pattern was observed in the physical volume of imports. From 2006 to 2009, the weight of imported underwear rose from 12,200 tons to 25,300 tons. The import structure remained largely consistent: 71% of the total was knitted socks, 19% were women’s undergarments, and 10% were men’s undergarments.

This data suggests that while the Russian market for underwear experienced growth, it also faced volatility, likely influenced by factors such as currency fluctuations, trade policies, and shifts in consumer demand. The dominance of knitted socks in the import category indicates a strong preference for these items among Russian consumers, possibly due to their affordability and practicality. Meanwhile, the relatively smaller share of men’s underwear may reflect cultural or economic differences in how different segments of the population approach undergarment purchases.