The new timber sales regulations, effective in Poland from 2025 and set to remain in force through 2026, prioritize businesses that process wood locally. These rules were introduced to limit the export of raw timber outside the European Union.
New wood trading regulations reduce foreign interest in Polish timber
Under the so-called geographic criterion, companies with processing plants located closer to the wood purchase site gain an advantage, which reduces the profitability of transactions for businesses outside Poland.
As a result, the new regulations have reduced the attractiveness of Polish timber, particularly for businesses from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, as confirmed by representatives of the Polish State Forests.
Although the regulations aim to support local industry, the additional restrictions on exports outside the EU have further diminished interest in Polish wood.
As reported by the Polish state news agency PAP, the head of the State Forests, Witold Koss, announced that 38 million cubic meters of timber will be available on the market in 2025, a 5% decrease compared to 2024.
Where and how much timber was exported from Poland in previous years? Statistics
According to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), between 2019 and 2023, Poland exported 14.3 million tons of unprocessed timber, with Germany being the largest recipient, receiving 5.3 million tons, or 37% of the total export.
In 2024, the export amounted to 2.2 million tons, with 43% mainly going to countries like Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Lithuania, and Estonia, and 40% to Germany.
Under the previous government, wood was being exported from Poland in large quantities, as confirmed by the Polish Chamber of Commerce of the Wood Industry. The new regulations aim to prevent this.
Source: PAP/TVN24 Biznes/GUS
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