Lesdrevmash 2022 continues discussing topical issues of the industry
The Conference on Sawn Timber Market in Recovery: Export, Consumption, Production has taken place within the WoodWorld 2022 Forum of the Timber Companies held as part of the Lesdrevmash 2022 conference programme.
Igor Novoselov, an expert of the WhatWood forest industry analytics agency, cited data on the state of the sawn timber market. According to him, in the seven months of this year the volume of sawn timber production in Russia was 25 million cubic metres, which is almost five million less compared to the same period last year. But in physical terms, this is basically in line with the 2018-2020 level. The decline in production is expected to peak in the third to fourth quarters and be around 10% for the current year.
At the same time, there were no global changes in trade flows during the seven months, the speaker stated. The sawmilling industry is still export-oriented at 65-70%. The top 10 exporters of Russian sawn timber are China, Uzbekistan, Japan, Estonia, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Republic of Korea, Tajikistan, Iran, and Turkey.
Foreign experts took part in the conference via video link. In particular, Chief Operating Officer of Sudima International, which is a major trader in Singapore, Ashwini Mudgal spoke about opportunities for Singapore companies to promote Russian products in the markets of South-East and South Asia.
Representatives of the timber industry in China and Morocco provided up-to-date information on the lumber market in their countries and the requirements for supplying them. The conference looked at export prospects and the zeroing of customs duties on Russian lumber in Iran, Indonesia and many other issues of important practical importance to Russian exporters and manufacturers.
A meeting of the Scientific and Methodological Council on the Forestry Industry on current issues of forestry education development, formation of modern educational standards and educational programmes, was also held today. The event was organised by the Association of Furniture and Woodworking Enterprises of Russia, Mytishchi Branch of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, EXPOCENTRE AO.
On the work and objectives of the Scientific and Methodological Council on the Forestry Industry, as well as the dynamics of admission to education and training for the forestry sector told the Deputy Chairman of NMC Evgeny Shcherbakov. He noted that about 1,500 students graduated from the Russian universities in 2021as forestry specialists, and 900 students - in the technological direction.
The heads of Mytishchi branch of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the Kirov St. Petersburg State Forestry University, Bumprom and the Association of Furniture and Woodworking Enterprises of Russia shared their vision of further development of forestry education, educational standards and educational programmes with their colleagues.
The Panel on the Russian Furniture Industry under Conditions of Technology and Materials Shortages: a Discussion among Professionals, organised by FCProject and EXPOCENTRE AO, has taken place.
Experts from woodworking companies such as TBM, Sloros and LIGA tried to answer the questions: is the industry at risk of falling behind due to sanctions, will the Russian furniture industry still have access to the latest woodworking technologies in the next 2-5 years? The exchange of views also focused on the effective substitution of imported scarce items in woodworking equipment and tools.
Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO