Russia Bans Export Sales of Wood and Wood Products to “Unfriendly” Countries
Russia to ban wood exports to U.S. and EU until the end of 2022
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, Russia will ban the export of wood and wood products to countries from “unfriendly” states, including the U.S. and the EU countries, until the end of 2022. The ministry notes that the ban will ensure the needs in the domestic market for affordable raw wood, as well as stimulate an increase of domestic wood processing.
Birch pulpwood and wood chips are critical commodities for the EU, the ministry said in a statement. Russia accounts for 10-15% in Finland’s pulpwood and chips consumption. It will be impossible to replace them all at once, the ministry said.
The ministry’s statement follows a number of European companies refusing to buy wood and wood products from Russia. At the same time, the certification organizations FSC and PEFC announced the termination of trade certificates for wood and wood products from Russia.
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