According to recent statistics from the Russian Forestry Department, in the first half of 2022, about 90 million cubic meters of wood were felled in Russia, and the level of felling fell by 3%, or 3 million cubic meters. Compared with 2021, when the number of deforestation surged, this figure is closer to the previous year's data.
In the first half of 2022, sawn timber production in Russia fell by 0.2% year-on-year to 12.2 million cubic meters. Production at the timber industrial complex also fell slightly in the first half of 2022, as was output by pulp manufacturers, which also fell slightly by 0.3% to 3.7 million tonnes. The decline in plywood production was even more pronounced, falling by 14%, reaching only 1.6 million cubic meters in the first half of the year.
From January 2022 to May 2022, Russia's timber exports were 11.22 million cubic meters, an increase of 11%. Among them, nearly 72% were exported to China, Uzbekistan and other Asian friendly countries with Russia, with a total export volume of 7.8 million cubic meters, a year-on-year increase of 13%; the remaining 30% were exported to EU countries, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and the United States, with an export volume of 3.24 million cubic meters rice, an increase of 3.8% year-on-year.
As of May 2022, the Ural Customs Service has recorded a general decline in timber exports. The total number of timber declarations in the five months of this year is 613,400 m3, a decrease of 7% compared with last year. Meanwhile, the value of lumber increased by 13 percent to $117.8 million.
Significant changes have taken place in the structure of Russia's exports of timber and its products this year. In particular, plywood exports fell by 60%, joinery and woodworking products by 38% and particleboard by 20%. Exports of some wood products (such as wooden clothes hangers) increased by 30%, and new export patterns emerged, such as the export of 4,800 tons of veneer to other countries.
There are currently concerns in the market that from July 10, when the ban on the supply of products from the Russian Federation's timber industry to the EU comes into effect, exports will stop. At present, Iran, Turkey and Egypt, as well as some other Middle East and Asian countries, are preparing to become transport hubs for the export of Russian goods to third countries and the import of goods to Russia from unfriendly countries, the Russian forestry department said. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that the Asian region and Central and South American countries are expected to become Russia's timber export markets, and that timber processing enterprises in Russia are actively rebuilding international trade logistics, and the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Commercial Representative Office will actively provide assistance.