Analytical research of Ukraine's market of light industry products

The article presents the author's research of the market of light industry goods of Ukraine, the urgency of which is conditioned by the inconsistency of digital data, a significant amount of illegal imports and shadow production of light industry goods. The geography and the structure of export-import relations of light industry goods are analyzed. In foreign economic activity the goods of light industry are allocated and investigated for 3 groups, in particular leather products; textile materials and textile products (the most important group); shoes, hats, umbrellas, processed down and feathers. The dynamics and commodity structure of retail and wholesale trade turnover, volume indices of retail trade turnover by product groups in the regional context, etc. are clarified. The state of the market of light industry goods of domestic production is defined as underdeveloped. At the same time, competition in the Ukrainian market can be assessed as high, as low-priced goods are largely covered by exports from China and Turkey, and high - by branded manufacturers from EU countries. Difficulties are also conditioned by a large part of shadow production, trade in contraband goods and active consumption of second-hand goods. It is proved that the Covid-19 pandemic in the Ukrainian realities has shown the significant potential of Small and medium-sized businesses in the direction of rapid adaptation to the latest market needs ( masks of protective suits production). It is substantiated that for the development of enterprises it is necessary to cooperate actively in the Ukrainian Association of Light Industry Enterprises, to invest in the renewal of their own production facilities and professional training of personnel. It is determined that from the standpoint of the state, the main supporting measures in the development of production and trade in light industry goods should be de-shadowing of the market, reduction of flows of second-hand goods, protection of national manufacturers, etc.