The exchange auctions held on 1 September 2009 to sell round timber have been most successful for Belarusian producers since the beginning of the year, it was learnt from Olga Kravtsova, Senior Specialist of the Forest Products Sales and Marketing Department of the Forestry Ministry of the Republic of Belarus.

The Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange offered 537,000 cubic meters of round timber for sale. Before the auctions bids for buying 338,000 cubic metres were registered. The demand for some types of round timber exceeded the supply, especially the demand for pine and asp pulpwood. All in all, 404,000 cubic metres of timber has been sold, more than the bid amount.

Some kinds of round timber were sold at the starting price, while some were sold with a €2-3 mark-up. The demand for Belarusian timber is on the rise, hence the price is rising as well as export, stressed the specialist.

According to the data available on 28 August, enterprises run by the Forestry Ministry have exported around $30 million in timber products and services. While export has been reduced in comparison with the same period of last year Belarusian forestry enterprises intend to preserve their position on the international market, giving their regular clients payment and shipment respites, finding new market outlets.

The timber products market has been revived lately. The demand for pulpwood and sawn lumber has emerged. The trend has also affected the content of export. Pulpwood still makes the bulk of export. The share of sawn timber has increased both in cost and natural terms. Besides, this year the export of products with a high added value steadily rises.

Belarusian companies export timber to 24 countries. Poland tops the list, buying 42% of the total export. The main customers are Polish paper mills. In January-July 2009 Poland bought $10.6 million worth of products. Germany accounted for 14.4% of the overall export, Lithuania — 9.3%. The number of regular buyers also includes Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, and Latvia. Russia remains the key partner among the CIS states, buying 6% of the total export.

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