Softwood log prices increased in Russia in 2009, while hardwood prices fell because of a 72% decline in log exports, reports the Wood Resource Quarter

Despite large timber resources, Russia struggles to attract investments within the forest industry because of political and financial uncertainty in the country. Domestic prices for softwood sawlogs and pulplogs were up in 2009, while hardwood log prices fell as a result of a sharp decline in log exports to Finland, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly.Seattle, USA. April, 2010. Domestic softwood sawlog prices have moved up in Russia in 2009 both in Rouble and in US dollar terms. In the 4Q, the average pine log prices were over 30% higher than in the 1Q/09 (in Ruble terms they were up 15%