Ukrainian Book Market in 2025: Record Number of New Publishers and Industry Growth
Over the past five years, Ukraine’s book industry has moved from a sharp collapse to a new phase of active expansion. Time for Action analyzed registration dynamics, geographic concentration of capital, and the financial performance of key players to determine whether the sector has not only recovered but entered a new stage of growth.
In 2021, considered relatively stable for the economy, 73 new business entities were registered in the market. After the full-scale invasion in 2022, this figure dropped to 43. The decline was predictable: logistics chains were disrupted, production facilities were damaged, particularly in Kharkiv one of Ukraine’s major printing hubs. However, 2023 marked a sharp turnaround 83 new registrations. This indicated rapid business adaptation, restoration of printing facilities, a pivot toward domestic demand, and the rebuilding of supply chains. In 2024, the pace stabilized somewhat 87 new players entered the market. Then 2025 set a record 117 new entities. This figure exceeded even the pre-war level.
Such a surge signals not only recovery but the emergence of a new wave of entrepreneurial activity. In wartime conditions, books have become not just a product but a tool of cultural self-identification and internal societal stabilization.
The geography of the sector shows clear concentration. Kyiv remains the primary center 218 active entities as of mid-February 2026. The capital accumulates management resources, finances, and consumer demand. Kharkiv region holds second place with 43 active companies, despite destruction. This confirms the preservation of printing capacity and production expertise. Lviv region, with 38 entities, forms a distinct cultural cluster with developed infrastructure and publishing traditions. At the same time, activity has nearly disappeared in frontline regions. Donetsk and Mykolaiv regions demonstrate a practical halt in operations. Security risks remain a decisive factor for business. The financial core of the market consists of ten companies that significantly increased revenues in 2023–2024. The leader is the publishing house “Ranok,” owned by Viktor Kruglov. After a decline in 2022 to 255.3 million UAH, the company reached 842.2 million UAH in revenue by the end of 2025. The corporate group also includes “Zhorzh,” “Fabula,” and “Art,” indicating asset concentration within large holdings.
Among key players are “Geneza” and “Orion,” associated with Oleh Furman. A telling example is the new publishing house “Atlant,” registered in 2023. Within a year, it increased revenue from 15.5 million UAH to nearly 190 million UAH. This demonstrates a relatively low barrier to entry for experienced operators with an effective business model.
A significant stability factor remains cooperation with the state. All companies in the top ten actively participate in public procurement. “Ranok” alone secured contracts worth approximately 309 million UAH in 2025 and early 2026. Government orders provide a source of guaranteed demand amid uncertainty. A different model is demonstrated by “A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA.” With a staff of 25 employees, the company generated 76.2 million UAH in net profit in 2024. This is an example of high efficiency within a compact structure supported by strong editorial policy and brand recognition.
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Today, Ukraine’s book market represents a combination of large corporate groups and flexible niche players. Its trajectory mirrors the broader economy: shock, rapid adaptation, localization of production, and growth in domestic demand. The record 117 new registrations in 2025 are not accidental but the result of accumulated momentum. The publishing business has managed to restore logistics, reformat production, attract new audiences, and develop new financial models. The Ukrainian book market has not returned to its 2021 condition it has transformed. The center of gravity has shifted toward domestic consumers, public contracts, and technological optimization. Despite the war, the sector demonstrates the capacity to scale.
The record number of new market entrants in 2025 signals one clear conclusion: books in Ukraine are no longer a marginal economic segment. They have become part of a resilient business ecosystem capable of growing even during systemic crisis.
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