2025’s 10 Key Insights From the Russian Timber Industry

We have prepared for you 10 key news of the Russian timber industry from the past year.

1. Sveza acquired Kama pulp and paper mill

The purchase agreement was signed with the approval of the FAS. Anatoly Frishman, CEO of Sveza-Les, commented on the merger's prospects: 'I am confident that we will bring the best practices of both companies to the combined structure. It is worth noting that there is a steady demand for paper and cardboard, both in the Russian market and abroad. 

At the same time, the modern approach to developing the Russian pulp and paper industry lies in increasing the depth of wood processing and, ultimately, advancing the entire domestic timber sector.

2. The Metsä Svir sawmill, formerly owned by Metsä Group, is back in operation

The enterprise, now renamed VLP Svir, is located in the Leningrad Region. The facility has worked toward reaching its full design capacity, producing 300,000 cubic metres of sawn timber and 140,000 cubic metres of wood chips annually.

3. SPIMEX added charcoal to its product range

Top-grade A charcoal is now available for purchase at the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX). This new product has expanded the assortment within the Timber and Building Materials section.

4. Khabarovsk Territory shipped veneer to India for the first time

The first consignment of veneer from Khabarovsk Krai was successfully shipped to India in containers. The export delivery volume reached approximately 1.5 thousand cubic metres.

5. Birch timber exports from Perm Krai to China have tripled

Timber enterprises in the Perm Territory significantly increased birch timber exports to China. The total volume of roundwood and sawn timber exports reached 7.97 thousand cubic metres, roughly three times the volume exported over the same period last year.

6. The revenue of Russian timber processing companies has increased by 23%

Profits of Russian timber processing companies increased by 62%, while their revenues grew by 23%. Additionally, overall forest product output has shown steady expansion of approximately 5%.

7. RUR 62.5 billion allocated for forestry financing

According to the press service of the Federal Forestry Agency, 62.5 billion rubles were allocated from the federal budget for forestry development, representing a 10% increase compared to previous levels. Regions also received additional funding of 9.3 billion rubles: 5.9 billion rubles designated for forest fire protection, and 3.4 billion rubles towards increasing the salaries of forest workers.

8. Illegal logging volumes have been reduced by 41%, according to data from Roslesinforg

The volume of illegal logging decreased by 41% compared to previous levels, reaching 115.1 thousand cubic metres. There were 589 cases of illegal logging, a 22% reduction from earlier records of 758 cases.

9. AMDPDR predicts a 15% rise in the price of furniture

According to forecasts from the Association of Furniture and Woodworking Industry Enterprises of Russia (AMDPR), prices for furniture produced in Russia saw upward pressure of 15%. This is due to duties that Vladivostok customs planned to impose on Chinese fittings, following a change in the codes of these goods in the TN VED. As a result, the duty could increase from zero to 55.65%.

10. 12 PIPs have been agreed upon for the development of the Russian timber industry complex

The Federal Forestry Agency approved 12 priority investment projects for the development of the domestic timber processing industry. These approved projects include the establishment of new wood processing facilities as well as the modernization of existing ones.

Woodex 2026

The 19th International Exhibition of equipment, materials and components for the Woodworking and Furniture Industry, Woodex, will be held from 1-4 December 2026 at Crocus Expo IEC, Moscow.