Poland has experienced a notable reduction in timber exports to China, as revealed in recent data published by the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The figures indicate a sharp drop in the weight of firewood and raw timber exported outside the European Union, highlighting a marked decrease in trade activity in the latter half of 2024.
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The Ministry's report, released on 20 December, confirms a decline of 100,000 tonnes in timber exports to China over the past six months. Between January and June 2024, customs declarations showed 279,000 tonnes of timber, including firewood and raw wood, being prepared for transport to China. However, in the second half of the year, this figure fell to 171,000 tonnes.
Efforts to curtail timber exports have been central to the government's recently introduced "Wood Industry Package", announced earlier this year by the Minister of Climate and Environment. This initiative includes several policy adjustments, including revised regulations for timber sales through the State Forests organisation (PGL LP). A key element of these new rules is the introduction of the 'Pro-climate Locality' programme, which incentivises local timber processing to minimise carbon emissions linked to unnecessary transportation. By prioritising processing activities close to harvesting sites, the policy aims to boost domestic industries, such as furniture manufacturing, while supporting sustainability goals.
The Ministry has underlined that these policy changes were developed collaboratively with representatives of the timber industry and wood buyers, under the supervision of the Directorate General of State Forests. The emphasis has been placed on strengthening the domestic market and addressing environmental concerns through more efficient and eco-conscious practices.
While the drop in exports might signal progress in limiting the outflow of raw materials, the wider context for the timber industry remains challenging. Declining exports have raised questions about the sector's stability and potential knock-on effects on domestic markets and international trade relations.
This development is part of a broader set of measures intended to balance economic needs with environmental responsibility. By encouraging local processing and reducing reliance on long-haul timber exports, the Ministry aims to align economic activity with Poland's climate ambitions while fostering growth within its timber industry.
Sources within the Ministry remain hopeful that these measures will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for the sector, despite the immediate challenges posed by reduced export volumes. The focus remains on reinforcing Poland's position as a leader in sustainable forestry and innovative timber use.
Source: biznes.meble.pl