Russia’s sawn timber exports declined by about twenty percent in the first quarter of this year, sliding to roughly 4.5 million cubic meters. The drop comes amid ongoing international sanctions and trade restrictions imposed by Western nations. This assessment draws on statistical data from Roslesinforga and is reported by Kommersant, noting the broader impact on the Russian timber sector.
In the opening months of 2023, exports of timber fell by 20.9 percent year over year, reaching 4.5 million cubic meters. Pine, spruce, and larch boards and beams remained the core products shipped abroad. The quarterly decline echoes what happened over the whole of 2022, when overseas deliveries dropped by about 22 percent to 23.4 million cubic meters, according to the same agency.
Before the advent of trade restrictions, the European Union stood as a major buyer for Russian sawn timber, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the country’s timber exports. Roslesinforga’s director, Pavel Chashchin, notes that EU sanctions that took effect on July 10, 2022 altered the export structure in a meaningful way, shifting demand away from traditional EU markets.
Today, the primary timber supplies are directed toward a broader set of destinations, including 15 countries across the Middle East and the Central and East Asia regions. In addition, a partial easing of phytosanitary restrictions in China has enabled timber traders to rebuild trade links with their principal partners. This shift reflects a broader reorientation of Russia’s wood products trade in response to sanctions and market access changes.
In a recent statement, Denis Manturov, head of Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted plans to expand the export of processed wood products, including timber, plywood, paper, cardboard, and cellulose, to markets in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The emphasis is on sustaining overseas sales across the wood value chain as domestic production adjusts to new global trade realities.
Analysts point out that the evolving export mix is influenced by several factors beyond sanctions. These include freight costs, currency dynamics, and the capacity of partner countries to absorb high-grade timber and wood products. Market participants stress the importance of quality controls, phytosanitary compliance, and supply chain resilience as critical elements for maintaining access to diverse markets in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Industry observers also note that China’s renewed openness to timber imports, alongside modest easing for certain European traders, could gradually stabilize some segments of the market. However, the overall trend remains cautious optimism, with shipments rebounding only where buyers secure favorable terms, reliable supply, and transparent certification. The sector’s outlook will hinge on how swiftly the global trade environment adapts to sanctions regimes and how partner countries calibrate their own domestic forestry and manufacturing needs. (attribution: Roslesinforga; Kommersant)