With the recent escalation of the situation in Russia and Ukraine, the global economic sphere began to have a ripple effect, the international market volatility. David Hopkin, chief executive of the Timber Trade Federation, said the crisis in Ukraine and Russia could burden European wood importers. “The ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine reached its climax on February 22, when Russian troops crossed the border into the “Separatist regions”of Ukraine, which felt like a return to the dark days of the Cold War,”the David Hopkin said in a statement, ukraine is flat terrain, superior natural conditions, rich in water resources. Ukraine fertile land, land area of two-thirds of the black soil, accounting for the world’s total of 1/4 black soil, known as the “European granary”, is the world’s third largest food exporter. In addition, Ukraine is one of the 10 richest countries on the European continent in forest resources, with 43 per cent forest cover and rich in natural wood products such as pine, Spruce and Oak. Ukraine exports most of its timber to the European Union and neighboring countries. Although Ukraine has rich timber resources, but in recent years due to the continuous development and escalation of the russian-ukrainian problem, timber imports from Ukraine has been subject to certain restrictions. According to a recent assessment by the 2021, the EU launched a joint enforcement operation in May, the claim that “The procurement of timber and wood products from Ukraine”was related to “The high risk arising from the procurement of products in violation of the applicable legislation of the country”.

“Given the political issues between Ukraine and Russia, changes in forest management are unlikely to be on the government’s priority list,”David Hopkin said. Therefore, I expect British traders to heed warnings from the EU and the non-governmental organization to reduce their purchases of timber from Ukraine by 2022,”said David Hopkin, chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Timber Trade Federation, it would also pose a problem for Britain’s timber imports. The figures show that Russian wood accounts for a significant proportion of UK Cork, Hardwood and plywood imports, with the UK importing 456810 cubic metres of Russian wood products last year alone. “We will be watching closely to see if the sanctions affect our industry or have any impact on the business of our members,”added David Hopkin. Although the Commonwealth Timber Trade Federation has not commented on the impact of the russian-ukrainian conflict on the United States and North American wood industry or the overall economy. But David Hopkin warns of possible changes in global markets: In the context of globalization, any conflict anywhere in the world will be destabilising. The russia-ukraine conflict will not only have a potential impact on the global macro-economy, but will even bring further energy and inflation pressure.