Ukraine's clothing exports to EU falling despite joining the free trade zone

According to Ukrainian statistics, clothing export in 2015 reached US$525m, mostly outerwear and underwear. The main importer of Ukrainian clothing was Germany (US$161m), followed by Hungary (US$32m), Italy (US$31m.) and Poland (US$30m).

Countries such as Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands and Spain are expected to increase their imports from Ukraine in the near future. Russia, once Ukraine’s core trading partner, now accounts for just 5.6% (US$33m) of Ukrainian clothing exports.

According to the State Service for Statistics, Ukraine’s exports of these products have been falling slowly since 2013. Despite entering the European free trade zone this year the country has not been able to boost its imports to the EU.

For the full story, see the July 2016 edition of Textiles Eastern Europe. Not a subscriber? Sign up HERE