Ukrainian clothing producers are calling for restrictions on the import of second-hand clothes to support the development of the domestic textile industry. Oleksandr Sokolovskyi, head of the group of companies «Textile-Contact», stated that used clothes make up 54% of all imports of light industry goods, which significantly hinders the growth of local production.

Sokolovskyi also highlighted the problem of smuggling new items disguised as second-hand, which further damages Ukrainian producers. He cited Turkey as an example, where the import of second-hand clothes is banned, allowing the country to become a leader in light industry production, surpassing Italy.

Interestingly, according to Recurate, a company specializing in fashion technology research, 74% of residents of developed countries, regardless of age and social status, buy second-hand clothing. This highlights the growing popularity of this market segment worldwide.

However, for Ukraine, the mass import of second-hand clothes is not just a commercial activity but a real threat to local manufacturers, making the issue of regulating this market relevant and crucial for discussion.