Products of folk crafts

Main article: Culture of Russia

Chronicle

2024

Growth in sales of handicrafts in Russia by 6.3% to ₽22,7 billion

The volume of consumption of products of folk art crafts in Russia amounted to ₽22,7 billion in 2024, which is 6.3% more than in 2023. Growth is driven by both domestic and external demand despite turbulence in the economy and tourism. This became known at the end of May 2025.

According to RBC, the market dynamics demonstrate the sustainable development of the segment of traditional crafts. Over the period from 2019 to 2024, the industry went through various cycles: a decline in 2020 to ₽15,3 billion, recovery growth in 2021 to ₽19,0 billion with a rate of 24.2%, a slight decrease in 2022 to ₽18,6 billion by 2.5%, and subsequent growth in 2023-2024.

Tourists, foreign businessmen, employees of companies purchasing gifts for partners, as well as expats, students and participants in international events remain key buyers. Russian collectors and state structures actively buy products through tenders for exhibitions, forums and presentations.

The highest concentration of consumption was recorded in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, the cities of the Golden Ring and airports. The popularity of products is growing due to the launch of masters on marketplaces and online platforms, which expands the geography of sales and the availability of goods for buyers.

The products of folk art crafts include traditional craft products created according to historical technologies and canons. This is an artistic processing of wood, including Khokhloma painting, Gorodets painting, Bogorodskaya carving and Vyatka toy. Ceramic products are represented by Gzhel dishes, Dymkovo toys, Skopino ceramics.

A significant market share is occupied by textile products of folk crafts: Pavlovoposad headscarves, Orenburg down products, Vologda lace, Torzhok gold sewing. Metalworking includes Tula samovars, Kaslin casting, Rostov finish, Great Ustyug silver blackening.^[1]

Launch of the digital register of products of folk crafts

In June 2024, an order of the Ministry of Industry and Trade was approved to form and introduce a state register of samples of folk art crafts of recognized artistic dignity.

According to the document, masters of folk art crafts can be individuals who have switched to the special tax regime "Tax on professional income," in addition to those who have entered into an employment contract or civil law contract with a legal entity, or with an individual entrepreneur or are registered as an individual entrepreneur. Information about such masters is subject to inclusion in the regional registers of masters of folk art crafts. This measure will make it possible to classify self-employed citizens as "Master of the folk art industry."

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Фото: Unsplash

As Galina Karelova, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Government and Northern Affairs, noted earlier with the adoption of the law, the status of folk crafts will be significantly increased, as well as support for individual creativity will increase.

Masters working independently, and not in organizations, used to have the right to register their activities as an individual entrepreneur. With the adoption of the law, they will be able to act as individuals applying the special tax regime "Tax on professional income," Karelova noted.

According to the chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Lilia Gumerova, recognizable goods are a serious incentive for economic development. Their registration and promotion contribute to the economic growth and tourist attractiveness of any area, she is sure.

Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia Order of 05.04.2024 No. 1479

2023: 13.5% increase in the production of handicrafts

In 2023, the production Russia of handicrafts in increased by 13.5%, reaching 9.58 billion. rubles Such data Rosstat were released in June 2024.

In 2022, the volume of production of handicrafts amounted to 8.44 billion rubles, which was 11.7% less than in 2021. However, in 2021, production increased by 19.3% at current prices and by 10% at comparable prices, demonstrating a steady dynamics in the development of the industry.

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Фото: RBC

According to RBC, despite external economic factors, the folk trade sector in Russia continues to demonstrate stability and potential for further growth. This is confirmed by the increase in production at current prices over the past years, which indicates an increase in the money supply without reducing the natural volume of products.

An important step in supporting folk crafts was the signing by Russian President Vladimir Putin of a law on the definition of the term "folk art crafts" (NHP) and giving the authorities the right to provide state support to organizations in this area. The law, signed in December 2023, provides for the development of art crafts and the preservation of places of their traditional existence.

Russian companies engaged in traditional folk art crafts and having a special status can count on comprehensive state support. It includes counseling, educational programs and direct funding.

At the expense of state subsidies, NHP enterprises compensate for part of the costs of modernizing production facilities, purchasing raw materials and materials, promoting their products on the market, paying energy resources and insurance premiums. These measures are aimed at preserving unique craft traditions and increasing the competitiveness of folk crafts.

In 2022, the total amount of state funding for the field of folk art crafts in Russia reached 1.1 billion rubles. These tools allow craftsmen to preserve authentic production technologies, transfer the secrets of craft from generation to generation and ensure the stable operation of NHP enterprises.^[2]

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