Russian log and lumber exports on a par

The export volume of these products almost equalized at 19.03 million m3 (-2.1%) and 18.7 million m3 (+14.9%) respectively, according to the report on the Russian forest based industry.

In 2018, the Russian government continued to implement policy to reduce the exports of raw wood and stimulate internal consumption of timber industry products. According to the report, the main events of 2018 in the Russian forest based industry were: the adoption of the strategy of forestry development of the Russian Federation until 2030; establishment of a new department of forest and consumer goods in the Ministry of Industry and Trade; the appointment of a new head of the Ministry of Natural Resources; raising the entry barrier to priority investment projects; new state initiatives to strengthen control over exporters.

Production of pellets in Russia in 2018 increased by 4.9% to 1,410 thousand tons, which is a new record and marks the the sixth year of increasing production.

At the end of 2018, the total OSB production capacity in Russia reached about 2 million m3. Last year, 1.2 million m3 of OSB panels were produced and 1.3 million m3 consumed.