Ukraine May Allow Export of Roundwood and Green Lumber by Year’s End

The adoption of a Ukraine law that would permit the export of roundwood and green lumber is anticipated to have final approval prior to the end of the year. As written, the new law does not pose a significant threat to the country’s forest resources and relate businesses.

In an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine Agency, head of the State Agency for Forest Resources, Yuriy Bolokhovets said, “I do not see any major threats either from the point of view of preserving the forest fund, or from the point of view of protecting and supporting Ukrainian business. We are already working at European prices, there are precedents for the import of raw materials from EU countries. Therefore, we do not expect any rush demand from exporters or foreign players,” he added.

According to Bolokhovets, the Ukrainian log market was interesting for foreign players, until significant volumes of cheap illegally harvested wood were present there, but those times have already passed.