Wood in the rough market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the CIS market for wood in the rough saw a gradual expansion in volume, rising from 8.3 million tonnes to 10.7 million tonnes. This growth was supported by regulatory easing, such as the permission to import unprocessed timber during the winter season, which facilitated supply. At the same time, the impending ban on exports of unprocessed coniferous and valuable deciduous timber, announced in mid‑2021, led exporters to gradually reduce shipments abroad ahead of the rule’s implementation, making more wood available domestically.

A sharp inflection occurred in 2022 when the full export ban on unprocessed roundwood took effect from January. This policy, designed to stimulate deep processing within the country, caused exports to plummet from 11.3 million tonnes to just 2.9 million tonnes. Consequently, the domestic market volume surged by 67% in a single year, reaching 17.8 million tonnes, as previously exported timber was redirected to local consumption and processing.

In 2023, the market volume adjusted downward to 16.3 million tonnes, primarily due to a continued decline in production, which fell to 18.1 million tonnes. The export ban remained in force, keeping outbound shipments low, while broader sanctions and weaker global demand for forest products further constrained external sales. Internal measures, such as discounted rail freight rates for the timber industry, were introduced to support domestic logistics amid the ongoing shift toward deeper processing.

Production wood in the rough in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

In 2020, CIS countries produced 22.5 million tons of wood in the rough, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 23.4 million tons, which represented a 15.5% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

CIS wood in the rough production declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 1 746 million US dollars. This marked a moderate decrease of 9.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.9%, translating to an average annual decline of 1.3%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 2 232 million US dollars, representing a 22.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood in the rough from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, CIS wood in the rough export volumes increased in 2020, reaching 13 364 thousand tons. This represented a slight 2.0% advance compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 22.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 8.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 105 thousand tons, which marked the largest decline of 15.1% during the period.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China and Finland remained the primary destinations for CIS wood in the rough exports, jointly accounting for 86.3% of total export volumes. Other trading partners individually represented much smaller shares of the export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

CIS wood in the rough exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, registering 1 037 million US dollars. This represented a moderate year-over-year decrease of 8.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 33%, equating to an average annual decline of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, China played the dominant role in CIS wood in the rough exports by value, accounting for 71.9% of total export flows. Other markets collectively represented the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood in the rough to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

The market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, CIS wood in the rough imports amounted to 329 thousand tons, representing a significant 55.7% drop compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 742 thousand tons, which marked the largest increase of 156.6% during the period.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, CIS wood in the rough import volume was recorded at 36 million US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 17.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.3%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 33 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 44 million US dollars, which represented the largest increase of 33.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Turkey held the largest share of CIS wood in the rough imports by value, accounting for 0.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020