Ukraine's government has temporarily banned the export of unprocessed timber. The decision has introduced export licensing with a zero quota until the end of the year.

Source: Ukraine's Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko

Quote: "This is a necessary step to care for people during the winter, to keep our plants operating and to reduce pressure on the environment."

Details: Svyrydenko noted that timber harvesting in Ukraine has fallen significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion. Companies that could be working are idle or operating at minimum capacity because of a shortage of timber.

She added that Ukraine's armed forces need timber for their own needs and that the availability of wood is vital for rural communities where firewood is the main source of heating in winter.

The prime minister also stressed that the war has caused substantial environmental damage. Some forests have been temporarily occupied or damaged by fighting. In such conditions, timber exports would put additional strain on the environment.

Background:

• In September, the Ukrainian government launched a programme to compensate households for heating costs using firewood. It covers frontline and near-frontline communities with a combined population of 6.6 million.
• Lisy Ukrainy (Forests of Ukraine), a Ukrainian state-owned company, said that its branches had sold 99% of timber products following exchange trading for delivery in the fourth quarter this year.
• The company reported that the average price of roundwood had increased to UAH 6,800 per cubic metre (around US$162), up from UAH 5,700 (US$136) in the third quarter and UAH 5,400 (US$129) in the second.
• The average price of industrial firewood rose to UAH 2,300 per cubic metre (US$55), compared with UAH 1,800 (US$43) in the third quarter and UAH 1,500 (US$36) in the second.

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