Animal rights groups hope the cut-off from the Russian market could spell the end of the European fur market, which has already shrunk drastically, pushing owners out of business.
For decades, Antonis Disios's workshop was abuzz with the sound of sewing machines stitching fur coats for his wealthy Russian buyers. In March, European Union sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine war shut the business overnight.Fur garments are among Greece's top 10 exportsMr Disios — like hundreds of other fur businesses in the lakeside city of Kastoria — was banned from exporting to Russia, the main market for Greece's fur industry.
Holding up a coat he said cost 30,000 euros to make using one of the most expensive furs in the world, Russian sable, he urged the EU to exempt the industry from sanctions.Antonis Disios sent his 23 workers home and his stockrooms filled up with hundreds of unsold garments. With the demise of Denmark's huge fur industry during a COVID-19-driven mink cull, animal rights groups hope the cut-off from the Russian market could spell the end of the European fur market, which has already shrunk drastically in response to animal welfare campaigns.
"Russians have traditionally been big buyers. The war has obviously stopped that, which is extremely good news," said Mark Glover, a spokesperson for Fur Free Alliance, a coalition of more than 50 animal protection groups around the world.The hit to Greece's fur trade echoes losses in other sectors, such as agriculture, since the war began.
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