“We assume that there will be a ban on the export of log wood next year,” Trutnew told ria.ru. This is said to be done to secure jobs in the forestry sector and to invest in local wood processing companies.
According to Lesprom.com, Russian softwood log exports fell by 18.8% to 6.9 million m³ in 2020, while the average price saw a 3.8% decrease to $76/m³ (€62.2/m³). According to the Russian customs authorities, the country exported 5.3 million m³ of softwood logs to China last year. As China Customs reports, softwood log imports from Russia totaled 4.4 million m³.
After the decision taken by the Russian government, the tariff on log exports is 80%. It was raised from 25% in 2018 to 40% in 2019 and 60% in 2020.
