The world's most expensive fur, used to make outerwear that can cost six-figure sums, can once again be imported from Russia following a brief ban that had been in place since April 2026.
According to one diplomat, Italy and Greece — the two largest European buyers of Russian sable pelts — pushed for the ban's removal. The European Commission argues the sanctions exemption is necessary because Russia dominates the global sable trade.
Imports of finished fur products from Russia to Europe remain banned under sanctions dating to 2022, alongside other luxury items such as diamonds and caviar. Fur producers in Greece have opposed sanctions on Russian fur since then, arguing they would amount to a death sentence for the industry, according to Euractiv.
The EU's abrupt reversal comes amid broader debate over the future of fur farming in Europe. A full EU-wide ban on fur production is under consideration following a successful citizens' initiative calling for the practice to end. Currently, only a handful of EU countries — including Spain, Greece, Hungary, Finland, and Poland — still operate fur farms, though Poland has already passed legislation to phase out the industry in the coming years.
A draft proposal reviewed by Euractiv last month indicated the EU's executive body is leaning toward strengthening animal welfare requirements rather than imposing an outright ban on fur production and imports.
EU ambassadors reached a political agreement on the 21st sanctions package on July 23, after Greece had previously blocked it. The EU Council formally adopted the new restrictions the same day, targeting Russian banks, the shadow fleet, and cryptocurrency platforms, while also extending the price cap mechanism on Russian oil for another year.