Russia might ban softwood log exports from 2022

Posted on January 6, 2021   |  

• Russian President Mr Putin has ordered the government to strictly control the exportation of round wood and low-value forest products.
• He has requested a ban on shipments of unprocessed or roughly processed conifer and valuable hardwood out of Russia by January 1, 2022.
• Targeting the Asian wood markets, he wants to implement a subsidized loan program for investing in wood processing facilities, in Siberia and Russia's far east.
• These loans would be available for facilities producing lumber, panels, and pellet manufacturers.
• If the ban is enacted, it will end Russia's role as one of the world's largest exporter of softwood logs.