The European Commission has said that it regrets Russia’s decision to increase export taxes for timber, which went up on April 1.
Under the rise, the second phase of Russia’s drive to increase processing and manufacturing within the country’s borders, the cost of exporting roundwood logs increased to €15/m³.
“It will make it more difficult to source wood from Russia and hinder trade flows in this product,” said European Commission spokesperson Peter Power.
“It may also have further negative economic consequences in terms of plant closures and job losses.”
A further increase is due at the start of 2009, when the cost of exporting roundwood logs will go up to €50/m³.
For more information see the next issue of TTJ.
