Russia introduced a ban on the export of birch wood, plywood logs (raw materials for plywood production) and fuel chips to “unfriendly countries” by the end of 2022, the ministry said.
The ban will apply to countries on Russia’s list of “unfriendly” states, which includes the United States and the European Union. According to Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the ban will ensure the domestic market’s need for affordable raw wood while also stimulating further growth in wood processing within the country.
Birch pulpwood and wood chips are critical commodities for the EU, according to a statement from the ministry. Russia accounts for 10 to 15% of Finland’s consumption of pulpwood and chips. According to the ministry, replacing them all at once will be impossible.
The ministry’s statement comes in the wake of a number of European companies refusing to buy Russian wood and wood products. Simultaneously, the certification organisations FSC and PEFC announced the termination of trade certificates for Russian wood and wood products.
“This measure is required to maintain market stability in Russia,” the order stated.
All foreign countries will be affected by the measure, with the exception of members of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union and Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
According to the economy ministry, additional measures could include restricting foreign ships from entering Russian ports.
“These measures are a logical response to those imposed on Russia,” it said.
According to the BBC, the bans on countries that have “committed unfriendly actions” are “aimed at ensuring uninterrupted operation of key sectors of the economy.”
Western governments have imposed a slew of sanctions on Russia, most notably on oil purchases and against billionaire oligarchs seen as close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
