Textile Industry of North Caucasus Region (1927-1934): Conditions for Development and Production Challenges

Abstract

This study examines the status of the textile sector within the light industry of the Stavropol, Kuban, Circassian, and other areas of the North Caucasus during its existence as an administrative-territorial entity from 1927 to 1934. It identifies key factors contributing to the establishment of the region’s textile industry, including favorable climatic conditions, strong ties to agriculture, traditional economic practices (notably sheep farming), a sufficient resource base for the development of textile sub-sectors — especially wool production — and the availability of transportation routes. An analysis of the operational challenges faced by individual enterprises (such as wool spinning mills, cloth factories, and wool washing facilities) reveals issues such as labor shortages, inadequate technical equipment, and limited processing capacities for surplus raw materials. The findings demonstrate that the textile sector in the region was in a formative stage during this period. It was established that a primary objective was the construction or reconstruction of state textile enterprises (factories and wool washing facilities) capable of processing locally produced wool and generating adequate quantities of fabric products. It is noted that there were few textile enterprises in the region, primarily located in urban areas near transportation routes, which established robust production links with specialized facilities in other regions of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, as well as in other Soviet republics, thereby contributing to the strengthening of economic ties between different regions of the country.