Save Ukraine! Buy Ukrainian furniture and support the industry!
Furniture industry of Ukraine is a powerful part of our economy!
Stable economic growth in peacetime
Before russia had attacked Ukraine we have been used to increase our export 17% annually during the last 5 years. In 2021 the furniture industry of Ukraine has exported 40% more than in the previous year. Even in the low season and the month when the war had begun – in January and February 2022 we exported 7% more than in 2021.
The war economy brings a lot of changes
The first week a lot of furniture manufacturers frizzed factories ( in Ukraine there are more than 10000 furniture manufacturers and most of them are SMEs). In a shock, they stopped all processes.
The second week we recognized that we lost a number of very good factories in Gostomel, Irpin, Chernigiv, Kharkiv, Sumy and other cities.
But hopefully all other manufacturers work and export. For the moment the Ukrainian furniture industry doesn’t have internal demand. So 95% of all the stocks of materials are used for export.
Our furniture companies are ready to produce and export, so we are asking you to continue reading this publication and share it to all who can support our industry and economy!
There are several challenges for Ukrainian furniture manufacturers and they are:
1. Logistics
Unfortunately, the Black sea area is really dangerous for delivery. By the reports of the State Ukrainian Custom by the sea transport, we used to deliver 3,3% through Odesa region ports.
But! Today we have changed the direction to ports Gdansk in Poland and Constanta in Romania. And the price for delivery is almost the same.
The first week of the war we had a problem with delivering by trucks because of a ban on men crossing the border aged 18-60.
But! It has been solved with the kind help and support of neighboring countries’ logistics companies. Also, some women were hired and men aged 60+.
And! Ukraine has increased delivery by trains. Ukrainian Railways has started the development of several terminals at the European border.
2. Refusal to use raw materials from Belarus
For example about 65% of plywood we exported in 2021 from this country.
But! Today we increased imports from Latvia, Estonia, Poland etc.
Also from Belarus Ukraine used to import paper for chipboard manufacturing, some chemicals, oack, MDF etc.
And! The Ukrainian furniture industry has changed suppliers to Romania, Poland, Austria, Turkey, and other countries.
3. Labor changes
Due to the significant number of refugees and the replenishment of the Ukrainian army and territorial defense Ukrainian furniture manufacturers change the working staff. And not so much as somebody could think. First of all, a lot of male workers have been in the Ukrainian army since russia invaded 8 years ago.
And! Ukrainian furniture manufacturing is industry 4.0 where you don’t use a lot of handworks. SMEs which used to work for the internal market at the moment can be hired by huge factories.
Today Furniture of Ukraine is exported to 120 countries.
For the moment and in the near future, we will not export to Belarus and russia. In 2021 it was about 2,1%.
Sure we will survive without them. By the way, since 2014 export of Ukrainian furniture to russia has been cut 10 times. And at that time it was about 41,1% of furniture exports as a whole.
To summarize everything up, let’s check our main points:
- Furniture industry of Ukraine is still functioning.
- We continue to produce high quality and well designed furniture products.
- We have support from our government and countries all over the world.
- We are ready to produce and to export.
Here you can support us, by ordering furniture from Ukrainian companies or donate to help with humanitarian needs for Ukrainians:
Please, share this information and let us help the Ukrainian furniture industry and economy!
Glory to Ukraine!
We will answer the main questions about the capabilities of the furniture industry in more detail:
Can furniture of Ukraine be delivered to your country?
Ukraine continues shipping by trucks to European countries. In 2021 we exported $1,05 bln to 120 countries. 87,6% of export in 2021 was to the EU.
Unfortunately, the Black Sea area is really dangerous for shipping. Due to the reports of the State Ukrainian Custom by sea transport, we used to deliver 3,3% through Odesa region ports. Today we have changed the direction to ports Gdansk in Poland and Constanta in Romania. And the price for delivery is almost the same.
The first week of the war we had a problem with delivering by trucks because of a ban on men crossing the border aged 18-60. It has been solved with the kind help and support of neighboring countries’ logistics companies. Also, some women were hired and men aged 60+.
Ukraine has increased delivery by trains. Ukrainian Railways has started the development of several terminals at the European border.
So! Furniture from Ukraine can be delivered to every country if needed!
Do Ukrainian furniture manufacturers have enough raw materials to produce?
About 65% of plywood we imported in 2021 from this country. Today we increased imports from Latvia, Estonia, Poland etc.
Also from Belarus Ukraine used to import paper for chipboard manufacturing, some chemicals, oack, MDF etc. And the Ukrainian furniture industry has changed suppliers to Romania, Poland, Austria, Turkey, and other countries.
90% of the Ukrainian foam rubber market has been owned by russia. These factories have been stopped. At the moment we order Ukrainian foam rubber manufacturers. We feel a temporary deficit of foam that we do need for sofas manufacturing and we solve it at the nearest time.
This also became possible due to the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine (via the UAFM Association for implementation of the grant activity “USAID supports Response to Violent Conflict”). The project and its results do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.
So! We have enough raw materials and components to produce furniture in Ukraine!
Do furniture manufacturers in Ukraine have employees to work?
Due to the significant number of refugees and the replenishment of the Ukrainian army and territorial defense Ukrainian furniture manufacturers change the working staff. And not so much as somebody could think. First of all, a lot of male workers have been in the Ukrainian army since russia invaded 8 years ago. Ukrainian furniture manufacturing is industry 4.0 where you don’t use a lot of handwork. SMEs which used to work for the internal market at the moment can be hired by huge factories.
