The government has set a zero quota on exports of unprocessed timber until the end of 2025. The Cabinet of Ministers has added it to the list of goods that require a license for export abroad. The relevant changes have been made to Appendix 1 of Government Resolution No. 1481 of December 24, 2024.
According to the Cabinet of Ministers, this decision was made in response to a request from the business community.
Wood is currently needed in Ukraine, not abroad
Domestic demand for timber is high, but harvesting volumes have declined due to the full-scale war. Wood is needed by the Armed Forces to build fortifications, by rural communities for heating, and by woodworking enterprises as raw material. Due to its shortage, some industries have reduced their production capacity or are completely idle.
The Cabinet of Ministers cites environmental impact as an additional factor, as large forested areas of Ukraine have been damaged by hostilities or are temporarily under enemy control.
“This is a necessary step to ensure people are cared for during the winter, preserve jobs at our enterprises, and reduce the pressure on the environment,” said Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.
The Ministry of Economy explained that the zero quotas apply to rough-sawn or unsawn timber, except pine, as well as wood with bark or sapwood removed or not removed.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote that the government changed the rules for logging.
