Chinese Retailers Faked Russian Goods Import Origin
Stores used Russian imagery and Cyrillic branding to sell locally produced products to Chinese consumers.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Chinese Food
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In early 2025, investigators discovered that numerous Chinese retailers were mislabeling locally made items as authentic Russian imports. The trend saw stores adopt Cyrillic signage and Russian music to market products like confectionery and vodka, despite the goods originating within China or third-party countries.
Why it matters
The surge in counterfeit Russian goods emerged following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which shifted consumer interest toward Russian products as Western brands exited the market. This deceptive marketing trend exploited growing trade ties between the two nations, ultimately undermining legitimate exporters.
Official registrations for Russian-associated businesses jumped to over 3,500 by early 2025, a significant increase from the 841 businesses recorded in 2024. Despite this growth, legitimate exporters report declining sales.
The players
Belyov Pastila Manufacture
This company is a known Russian producer of traditional confectionery that began attempting to enter the Chinese market in 2019.
The details
Retailers leveraged Russian cultural tropes, such as traditional music and Cyrillic text, to convince shoppers that locally sourced items were imported. By July 2025, authorities in Hangzhou forced multiple fraudulent outlets to close or initiate clearance sales following media investigations into the practice.
Timeline
2019: Belyov Pastila Manufacture attempted first market entry in China.
2022: Russia invaded Ukraine, triggering Western sanctions.
2024: Bilateral trade between China and Russia reached $244.8 billion.
Early 2025: Over 3,500 Russian-associated businesses were registered.
July 2025: Multiple outlets in Hangzhou closed or held clearance sales.
Culture Shift
This phenomenon follows a pattern set by the post-2022 departure of international brands from Russia, which created an opening for retailers to capitalize on a sudden demand for Russian-branded products. The deceptive marketing highlights how quickly consumer trends can be manipulated in the absence of authentic supply.
Consumers should verify the origin of goods by checking manufacturer information rather than relying on signage or packaging aesthetics. Shoppers who value authentic imports should be aware that high-profile Russian-themed marketing does not guarantee an imported product.
The takeaway
Retailers often rely on cultural branding to influence consumer perception, regardless of where a product is actually manufactured. Being skeptical of heavy-handed thematic marketing helps ensure that money is spent on authentic goods rather than clever imitations.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving culinary markets by exploring the Chinese Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Qatar Tribune.
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