Regulations restricting the open trade of Russian logs are affecting world timber markets by transforming the country from an unprocessed wood exporter to a producer of finished wood products, a news provider has claimed.
Wood Resource Quarterly has reported that as a result of the log export tariffs which have been recently implemented, as well as the increase in tariffs which are planned for next year, shipments of raw logs in the first quarter of 2008 fell by 44 per cent to Europe and 15 per cent to Asia.
Sawmills in Estonia and Latvia have become dependent on Russian timber, the publication stated, something which may be of interest to those considering forestry investment in the area.
Under Russia's new guidelines, tariffs on softwood and large-diameter birch exports have risen from 20 to 25 per cent and from January 2008, this will go up to 80 per cent of the value of the logs.
The Russian tariffs were introduced by Vladimir Putin to promote the development of a wood processing industry in the country.
However, Finland in particular has objected to the move, saying it will affect jobs and industry in the country.
This news item is brought to you by KMS Baltics in conjunction with Fest-Forest and EST KINNISVARA. Baltic forestry and property specialists.
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