Finland reported an increase in deforestation due to reduced imports from Russia

Finland has increased deforestation due to a decrease in timber imports from Russia. This was reported by the Forestry Center of Finland (Metsäkeskus) on January 28.

"The cessation of timber imports from Russia has led to an increase in demand for domestic timber. Which led to an increase in log prices by almost 10%," - stated in the publication of the center.

It is noted that the volume of logging of private forests in 2024 amounted to about 65 million cubic meters, which is 11 million more than the data of 2023 and 7.5 million cubic meters more than the peak in 2021. The publication also pointed out that timber for pulpwood and wood pulp production increased in price by 20%.

Earlier, in August 2024, it was reported that Finland has started a forestry crisis due to the ban on timber supplies from Russia. It was noted that cutting down their own forests and supplies from other countries could not save the situation. The price of logs reached a 15-year high: at that time the raw materials and the final product (sawn timber) cost about the same.

Western countries tightened sanctions pressure against the Russian Federation in connection with the special operation to protect Donbass, the decision to start which was announced on February 24, 2022. The embargo on timber was included in the fifth package of EU sanctions, which came into force in April 2022.