[1] It involved the delivery of goods (salt, fish, grain, and others) for the purpose of long-distance sales using carts (wagons) harnessed to oxen.

They prospered until the end of the 19th century, when competition from railroads made longer trade-routes unprofitable.

Chumaks operated most commonly during the times of the Cossack Hetmanate (17th century), trading between the Moscow state, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Crimean Khanate, and Moldavia.

Modernization marginalized traditional economic activity, and relegated Chumak traders to areas in western Ukraine with the lowest levels of service.

The chumak way of life had great influence on Ukrainian folklore, language, and overall culture, due to the hardships and perils inherent in that trade.