During the first quarter of 2023, Russia exported 4.5 mln cub meters of sawn goods, down 20.9% year-on-year from 5.7 mln cub meters during Q1 2022, Roslesfinorg has reported.
This year, sawn goods were exported from Russia to 40 countries. 16 of them increased trade volumes. The most popular commodities were pine, spruce and larch boards and beams.
The main reason for the reduction of export volumes was the sanctions introduced by the Western countries and logistics challenges for exports to Asia.
In Q1 2022, almost 20% of the entire export volume was designated for the EU, Estonia and Finland being the major buyers accounting for 5% of the total.
Since the year start, exports in the eastern direction have been growing, with major volumes designated for 15 countries in Central and East Asia.
Over 74% of the sawn goods exported in January-March 2023 was carried to China and Uzbekistan against 56% during the same period of 2022.