Russia’s forestry sector warns of up to 30% production slump in 2026

Russia’s forestry sector is bracing for one of its most pronounced downturns in decades as government officials warn that production may contract sharply in 2026. Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Mikhail Yurin told members of the Federation Council that current indicators point to a persistent downward trajectory. In the scenario considered most severe by the ministry, output could fall by 20–30 percent next year, reflecting a structural weakening that began after the start of the war in Ukraine and is now compounded by broader economic pressures. Yurin noted that the contraction now underway is not expected to ...