About 7.3 million m3 of timber was affected by fierce storms in Latvia last month, according to the latest estimate by the country’s State Forest Service.
The worst damage was recorded in the west of Latvia in Kurzeme (Kuldiga, Talsi and Tukums regions), with coniferous wood suffering the most. About 1.6 million m3 of timber was blown down in state forests.
The Latvian Timber Exporters’ Association says salvage operations are being co-ordinated by a working group of stakeholders, including the ministry of agriculture, the Latvian Forestry Industry Federation and the Association of Private Forest Owners.
Weekly working group meetings are being held to ensure salvage work does not negatively impact long-term development of forests and the forest industry. Harvesting of timber from undamaged or less damaged regions will continue, along with hardwood felling.
The exporters’ association believes harvesting and transportation capacity is sufficient to meet salvage operations and supply timber to the industry. Timber supplies are also being increased from neighbouring countries.
Brian Martin, managing director of the Latvian Plywood Company, said: “The storm damage was extensive but the government reacted very quickly in the clear-up operation and things have been helped by the drop in temperature which has made access to the forests easier. The pressure on supplies is remedying itself, having lost some days during and after the storm.”
