Ukrainian Textile and Garment Industry: Navigating War and EU Integration

Abstract

Ukraine's textile and garment industry has long been a vital part of the national economy, supported by a skilled and cost-effective workforce, competitive manufacturing conditions, and low overhead costs. By early 2020, over 90 per cent of the sector's workforce was female, mostly engaged in low-value-added assembly work. However, the full-scale war has severely disrupted the industry—many manufacturing facilities have been destroyed, international buyers have withdrawn, and supply chains have been interrupted. Despite these difficulties, several firms have demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuing production and adapting operations amid wartime conditions. Simultaneously, Ukraine's path towards European Union accession has sped up, and trade relations with the EU have strengthened over the past decade. These developments offer both opportunities and considerable challenges for the textile and garment sectors. To fully capitalise on EU market access and value chain integration, the industry must undertake substantial upgrading initiatives to boost competitiveness and meet EU standards. The conceptual paper examines the main obstacles the Ukrainian textile and clothing industry must overcome to achieve industrial modernisation, social sustainability, and regulatory alignment with the EU. These include post-war reconstruction, technological modernisation, and compliance with the EU's stringent regulatory framework.