Statistics on investments in the Russian forest sector

Investments in the Russian forest sector have grown steadily since 2015. There has been growth, especially in the pulp and paper industry, where ruble-denominated investments have grown annually by about 30 percent from the previous year. The largest investor has been the Ilim Group, which completed the modernization projects of the Bratsk paperboard mill and the Ust-Ilimsk pulp mill in 2019. In 2019, EUR 1.5 billion was invested in the …

Citizens worried about illegal logging in Russia

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According to a survey conducted by WWF Russia, 80 percent of citizens consider illegal logging to be a current problem in Russia. Only 13 percent disagree. Two thirds of citizens consider the legal origin of wood to be an important requirement in wood processing. However, little attention is paid to the FSC label, which certifies, among other things, the legal origin of the wood. Only 16 percent of respondents have …

Abolition of periodic customs declaration slows down Russia’s wood exports

In June, Russia abolished periodic customs declaration of wood and wood products (TN VED 44). The aim of the change is to increase the transparency of the forest sector and tighten control on wood exports. The notification procedure used for periodic customs declaration has created a possibility for illegal wood exports. In addition, the change is justified by the difficulty for the customs authorities to determine the exact export volumes …

First norm of intensive forestry approved for Karelia

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An amendment to the Russian silvicultural rules has been approved, which makes it possible to engage in intensive forestry in Karelia. The change is aimed at increasing thinnings to improve the quality of forests. In Karelia, high quality wood is harvested at 0.7 cubic meters per hectare, compared to 4-6 in neighbouring countries. Until now, Russian legislation has not allowed practicing intensive forestry in Karelia. In addition to the silvicultural …

A giant sawmill planned in Arkhangelsk region

ULK is planning to build a large sawmill in Arkhangelsk region in Karpogory village (picture). The Pinega Forest Industry Complex (Pinezhski LPK) is scheduled for completion in 2023 and would have annual production capacity of one million cubic meters of sawnwood. In addition, 600,000 tons of pellet production is planned. The decision to build the sawmill was made in 2019. Preparations for the site are currently underway and agreements have …

Wood harvesting decreased in Russia in 2019

According to statistics of the Russian Forestry Agency, wood harvesting in 2019 amounted for 219 million cubic meters, which is eight percent less than in the previous year. One-third of the wood harvesting took place in the Siberian Federal District and 27 percent in Northwest Russia. Wood harvesting in Northwest Russia was 59 million cubic meters, a decrease of three per cent from the previous year. Unlike other regions of …

Development of Russian forest sector in the first quarter 2020

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In January-March 2020, Russian roundwood production remained at the previous year’s level, while in Northwest Russia it decreased by four per cent. Roundwood exports decreased by almost a quarter compared to the previous year, with the largest decline to China (-34%). In addition to the corona epidemic, roundwood export was affected by the stricter phytosanitary requirements imposed by China. During the first quarter, sawnwood production grew by more than ten …

The Government does not support the Sveza’s pulp mill plan

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The Russian Government does not support Sveza’s plan to build a new pulp mill in the Vologda region. The State Duma deputy from Yaroslavl region expressed her concern about the state of the environment to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during his visit to Yaroslavl region. According to Mishustin, the Rybinski Reservoir cannot withstand the additional load caused by the pulp mill. The mill would worsen the state of the environment …

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