Decline in the number of illegally cut timber in Russia

As of 2011, more than 10,000 timber leasing agreements have been signed. According to industry experts, the number of timber leasing agreements increased by 27% in 2011. In 2010, the amount of timber harvested in Russia increased by 10.7% compared with the previous year. At the same time, the amount of wood harvested by forest users in the leased land increased by 30%. However, the amount of wood harvested by the lessee does not exceed 58% of the annual harvested amount.

The “Sawmill Business Plan” with a financial model, launched by consulting firm Intesco Research Group, points out that in Russia, the number of illegally cut timber has decreased. In 2008, when the number of illegally felled timber was the largest, more than 1.6 million cubic meters of timber were illegally cut.

In recent years, illegal logging has dropped to 1.3 million cubic meters. The largest number of illegally felled timber is in the Siberian Federal District, and Irkutsk Region ranks first in all regions.

The illegal logging of wood is a serious problem facing Russian forestry, and this issue is being discussed at the national level. The EU Directive, which came into force on December 2, 2010, stipulates requirements to prevent the illegal logging of timber.