Export of Russian timber and wood products decreased by 33% (down to 19.5 million tons) in January-August, 2009. As per the Federal Customs Service of Russia (FTS) press-service, the situation objectively reflects negative business situation of the world market, under which almost all the leading countries-manufacturers and importers of timber materials have faced the reduction of timber production and export volumes.
In 2008 70.4% fell on export of unprocessed lumber and 21.6% - processed lumber. In 2009 the structure underwent several positive modifications due to increase of processed lumber export volumes up to 30.5% and reduction of unprocessed lumber to 55.4%.
There is definite stability in the structure of countries-importers of the Russian timber most volumes of which are delivered to China, Japan, Finland, Estonia, Egypt.
Nevertheless there is a tendency of reduction of volumes delivered to the far-abroad countries and increased of shipments to CIS.