The next phase of Russia’s planned increase in export duties for unprocessed timber will take place on April 1, raising the cost of exporting roundwood logs to around €15 per m³.
The increase, which will see tariffs hit 25% of the timber’s value, follows a rise from €4 to €10 in July 2007 and is part of a concerted effort to increase processing within the country’s borders. A further increase is planned for 2009, when the cost could rise to as much as €50 per m³.
The Bank of Finland has said the impact of duties could create a 20% shortfall of wood raw material in the Finnish timber industry, with as many as 16,000 jobs at risk.
