Furniture

The furniture sector is one of the most dynamic areas of the economy in terms of production and export growth. Even in the crisis year of 2020, furniture exports increased by 11%. In general, over the last 4 years, furniture exports have grown at an average of 17.5% annually.

Due to its position at the geographical centre of Europe, a large resource base and a free trade agreement with the EU, Ukraine has all the prerequisites to become the European centre of the furniture business.

Due to expanding domestic production, furniture imports are declining while exports are growing. Currently, our main trade partners are in the EU (Poland, Germany, Denmark, Austria and others), but we anticipate growth in exports to Israel, the UK (due to recent free trade agreements with these countries) and the United States, where representatives of the Ukrainian furniture sector are already regular exhibitors at the High Point Market trade show.

Ukrainian producers cover the full spectrum of furniture-making activities – from logging to the manufacture of wood-based panels and finished products. Ukraine has sufficient forestry resources to meet its own needs, including woodworking and wood processing industries. The annual volume of timber harvested is over 20 million cubic metres.

Ukrainian furniture manufacturers have considerable experience of working with international partners. Ukrainian furniture products are supplied to international DIY chains and e-commerce platforms, including marketplaces such as IKEA, JYSK, Amazon, eBay, Auchan, Metro and Praktiker. Ukrainian furniture manufacturers create custom furniture, in particular for the HoReCa segment (food service and hotels) and for public facilities and offices, for example Facebook, Royal Beach, Hilton, Radisson Blu, Fairmont Grand Hotel, Mall of Dubai, the Ministry of Defence of Saudi Arabia and Al Badie Group residential units.

Stakeholders

The Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers was established in 2001 and represents more than 60% of the Ukrainian furniture sector. Its members export to 119 countries, with the value of exports increasing by 13.5% annually in both the mass market and premium segments.

EF Cluster – The Ukrainian interior design and furniture cluster brings together more than 1,000 companies, including manufacturers of furniture and home goods, sellers and manufacturers of components and materials for the production of furniture and home goods, trade companies, design studios and industrial designers.