Polish manufacturers of household appliances report increasing competition from China and risks for the industry, where more than 100,000 people work. This is the total number of employed, not the declared scale of layoffs, although the issue of protecting workers from dismissal remains relevant. InPoland reports this.
Household appliances from China: how deliveries to the EU changed in 2026
According to data from Eurostat and APPLiA Poland, from January to July, over 26.5 million units of appliances arrived on the EU market from China. This is 12.1% more than in the corresponding period of 2025.
Deliveries from Poland during this time decreased by 0.8% to 9.1 million units. Thus, the Chinese figure exceeded the Polish by approximately 2.9 times.
The article also provides the following indicators:
- China: over 38% in the studied supply structure, worth over 3.2 billion euros;
- Poland: share 13.2%, worth just over 2 billion euros;
- Dynamics in money: growth of Chinese supplies by 12.9% and reduction of Polish ones by 6%.
As an example of the price difference, the publication cites the average cost of a washing machine: 150 euros for Chinese products versus 270 euros for Polish ones. This is a comparison from the article, not retail prices of identical models in stores.
In Poland, about 30 large household appliance factories and several small enterprises are operating. Industry representatives urge the EU to level the playing field, including costs related to emissions during production.
Factories and jobs in Poland: what the industry demands in 2026
One of the proposed tools to support European manufacturers is related to CBAM, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. It takes CO₂ emissions into account during the production of goods. The name of the assistance for carbon monoxide emissions in the original text is incorrect.
The mechanism is already in effect for defined categories of carbon-intensive products. Separately, the EU is working on extending it to finished goods with high steel and aluminum content.
According to InPoland, the proposals regarding household appliances involve washing machines, refrigerators, and dryers. The industry requests to also add dishwashers, ovens, stoves, hoods, and cooktops.
However, according to an estimate from Rzeczpospolita, the additional costs for Chinese appliances may amount to only 2-3 euros per unit. At such a payment level, the significant price difference between products will remain.
The article does not have a confirmed plan to lay off 100,000 people. This figure indicates the scale of employment in the sector. It is important for employees of a specific company to be guided by the employer's announcements and existing guarantees of labor rights.
For Ukrainians considering employment in Poland, the situation highlights the importance of assessing the specific company and its orders. When comparing offers, it is worth considering the guaranteed rate, duration of the contract, payment conditions, as well as the approved minimum wage for 2027.