MINSK, 22 July (BelTA) – Timber exports via the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange (BUCE) went up by 3% to Br316 million in H1 2020, BelTA learned from BUCE Press Secretary Roman Yaniv.
“The major buyers of timber sold via the BUCE are residents of the European Union countries that account for more than 80% of sales. The rest is bought by companies from Azerbaijan, the UK, Georgia, Israel, China, Lebanon, Moldova, the United States, Turkmenistan and Turkey. Edged board from softwood and wooden blocks for containers are in the highest demand,” Roman Yaniv said.
According to head of the timber sales department at the BUCE Yevgeny Malyshev, positive trends are secured thanks to close cooperation of the exchange with the largest domestic exporters, as well as active work of foreign brokers accredited to the BUCE. “A number of factors affect the exchange trading volumes, and not all of them are positive. For example, this year the economy of the European Union countries, the main consumers of Belarusian timber products, was literally paralyzed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, our export performance, has slightly increased,” he said.
According to Evgeny Malyshev, the export has increased thanks to the Belarusian timber enterprises that have offered competitive prices and convenient logistics and also non-resident brokers who constantly attract new buyers from Europe, Asia and other regions to the BUCE. “Given the recovery in key timber markets, we expect exports to grow in the second half of the year, perhaps even at a higher pace," Evgeny Malyshev added.
The BUCE holds trades in timber products weekly on Tuesdays. On offer is trimmed (untrimmed) board, sawn timber for packaging, woodchips, duel briquets and pellets, waste paper, pulp, paper, cardboard, wooden stakes and poles, etc. Export transactions inJanuary-June totaled Br381 million.
The public joint-stock company (OAO) Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange was established in 2004. The first trade sessions took place in June 2005. BUCE is one of the largest mercantile exchanges in Eastern Europe. Its key function is to assist Belarusian companies with exporting their products and assist foreign companies with entering the Belarusian market. The commodity exchange facilitates trade in metals, timber, agricultural products, and a broad choice of industrial and consumer goods.
