About one quarter of 3PL operators in Ukraine face staffing shortages in warehouse logistics – PwC
A shortage of qualified personnel is one of the key challenges in Ukraine's warehouse logistics market, according to 3PL operators surveyed by PwC.
According to the survey results, 23.3% of respondents cited a lack of qualified staff and structural changes as a major industry challenge. Another 13.3% pointed to market instability, while 10.7% highlighted rising customer expectations and pressure on service models.
"Our research shows that the market simultaneously demands a higher level of service and digital transparency, while operating under margin pressure and limited access to capital. This creates a gap between client expectations and the capabilities of some providers, which in 2026–2028 will become a point of market share redistribution," said Vasyl Karavan, partner and head of business consulting at PwC Ukraine.
According to the study, market conditions are driving further transformation of the industry. In particular, the development of e-commerce will boost demand for fulfillment services, micro-fulfillment centers, extensive Pick Up Drop Off (PUDO) networks, as well as flexible last-mile solutions and cargo consolidation within urban agglomerations.
Speed, visibility, manageability, and productivity enabled by automation, data utilization, and integration remain key competitive advantages in warehouse logistics, market participants noted.
In addition, environmental considerations are becoming increasingly important for operators, playing a key role in ESG principles and sustainable development.
"Clients from other countries are introducing new requirements regarding carbon emissions, packaging standards, reduction of paper-based document flows, and other environmental impact factors, which are gradually becoming a trend in Ukraine as well," the report said.
To adapt to new conditions and enhance competitiveness, 3PL operators are implementing specialized services such as temperature-controlled logistics, IT solutions and integrations, fulfillment, and transportation of hazardous goods. This demonstrates operators' readiness to handle more complex products and ensure digital compatibility with clients, PwC emphasized.
More than 30 Ukrainian logistics operators participated in the PwC survey conducted between October 2025 and March 2026.
PwC in Ukraine is part of the global PwC network, which brings together more than 364,000 professionals across 136 countries. The regional network includes a headquarters in Kyiv and offices in Lviv and Dnipro, offering a full range of audit, tax, legal, and consulting services.
3PL services (Third-Party Logistics) refer to the outsourcing of logistics processes, whereby a company delegates warehousing, packaging, inventory management, and delivery of goods to an external specialized provider.