Poland has reduced its timber exports to China by around 50%, according to new data released by the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The government says the move has helped stabilise the domestic timber market and ensure more raw material remains available for Polish processors.

In the first three quarters of 2025, exports of Polish wood to non-EU countries fell by 47% year on year. Shipments to China dropped to around 251,000 cubic metres, roughly half the level recorded previously. The ministry argues that limiting exports of unprocessed timber has strengthened domestic production, supported jobs and contributed to GDP growth.

Officials also point to falling prices as evidence of a more balanced market. In 2024, timber prices declined by 13.8% and, after accounting for inflation, are now at their lowest level since 2018. The ministry says prices have remained stable throughout 2025, easing pressure on local manufacturers.

The changes follow reforms introduced by State Forests in 2024 to prioritise domestic processing and curb exports outside the EU. These included favouring buyers located closer to harvesting sites, reducing the weight of price-only criteria in tenders and placing greater emphasis on the depth of wood processing.

Additional measures, such as fewer annual sales rounds and the possibility of audits to verify declared processing, were designed to discourage speculative trading. The government has framed the policy as a clear break from mass timber exports, arguing it strengthens Poland's industrial base while improving long-term market stability.

Source: money.pl