According to a recent report from Roslesinorg, Russian exports of sawn timber during the period from January to August 2023 surpassed 14 million cubic meters. China continues to lead the way as the primary purchaser of Russian timber, accounting for an impressive 61.7% of the total supply, equivalent to 8,804 million cubic meters valued at $1.813 billion USD. This represents a 2.7% increase compared to the same period last year.
In addition to China, the top five importing countries include Uzbekistan (1,388 million cubic meters, up 0.5%), Kazakhstan (0.627 million cubic meters, up 13.3%), the United Arab Emirates (0.370 million cubic meters, a 1.9-fold increase), and Hong Kong (0.345 million cubic meters, a 1.5-fold increase). Notably, timber deliveries to Tajikistan saw a substantial 22.4% increase, reaching 321,200 cubic meters. However, Singapore experienced a 14.7% decline due to a high base from the previous year when supplies had doubled.
Despite the typical summer slowdown in export activity, 21 out of the 51 countries importing Russian timber recorded year-on-year increases in their wood volumes. Leading the way were substantial increases in timber exports to China (an additional 231,000 cubic meters) and the United Arab Emirates (an additional 176,000 cubic meters). Turkey also significantly raised its timber purchase volume by 2.8 times, jumping from 30th to 12th place on Russia's list of export partners with a volume of 204.4 thousand cubic meters.
The volume of timber exports to Hong Kong also witnessed a notable uptick (+115,000 cubic meters), as did exports to Iran (+89.8 thousand cubic meters), Kyrgyzstan (+74.1 thousand cubic meters), Kazakhstan (+73.8 thousand cubic meters), Tajikistan (+58.7 thousand cubic meters), Georgia (+36.4 thousand cubic meters), and South Korea (+31.9 thousand cubic meters).
In an exciting development, Lebanon significantly increased its timber purchases, multiplying its volume almost 26 times to 26.3 thousand cubic meters. Jordan, Israel, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Thailand, Mongolia, India, Malaysia, and Panama also joined the list of countries with increased timber imports.
Russian timber has found a promising new market in Syria, with test batches of wooden products, ranging from 40 to 150 cubic meters, sent by six Russian manufacturers.
Coniferous boards and beams, primarily pine and spruce, dominate the export structure of sawn timber, accounting for the largest share. Pine wood remains in high demand, comprising 93.4% of the total (13.3 million cubic meters). Softwood lumber products make up 5.6% (802.3 thousand cubic meters), while oak, beech, and ash products contribute 1% (146.7 thousand cubic meters).
Leading the charge in exporting forest products are companies like Segezha Group, ULK Group, Titan Group, Luzales Group, Vologda Wood Industry Group, Terneyles Group, Lesresurs-Rusforest Group of companies, Altailes Forestry Joint Stock Company, JV Arkaim (JSC New Forest PRO), and LHK Cherepovetsles. In total, there are 2,406 wood exporting enterprises, responsible for over 40,000 shipments.
It's worth noting that the majority of Russian timber products are exported in processed forms. Round timber exports for the first eight months only accounted for 1.536 million cubic meters, with a significant portion of 1.2 million cubic meters shipped to China, primarily birch timber, which is less in demand within Russia.
In the period from January to August 2023, Russian exports to China totaled $3.7 billion. Pulp and paper products constituted 41.2% of this figure, amounting to $1.529 billion, with wood products accounting for $148 million, equivalent to 4% of the total.
