Russia Announces Plan to Enforce Complete Ban on Softwood Log Exports

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Russian administration plans to implement a ban on softwood log exports from the country. The implementation of the ban could lead to zero softwood log exports out of Russia. It must be noted that the Russian log exports have been on a steady decline for the past 15 years.

The recent statement issued by the country’s President suggests complete ban on exports of unprocessed or roughly processed conifer and valuable hardwood by 2022. According to industry participants, the proposed ban would exclude lower-value hardwood logs, such as birch pulplogs that the country exports to Finland.

The Russian President has proposed a government-sponsored subsidized loan scheme to boost investments in domestic wood processing facilities, primarily in Siberia and Far East region. The loans would be made available to facilities that produce lumber and panels and also to pellet manufacturers.

Incidentally, Russia has been one of the world’s largest exporters of softwood logs, although the volume of exports has recorded drastic decline during recent years. The exports, which had totalled around 37 million cubic metres in 2006, had fallen to almost 8.5 million cubic metres in 2019. The exports are likely to total around 6 million cubic metres in 2020, as per Wood Resources Quarterly (WRQ).

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

Germany's Saw Log Market Extended Its Rollercoaster Ride

Canadian Log Exports to Japan Witnessed Declining Trend