2016

The prolonged rainfall has led to changes in the organisation of logging works

In the areas managed by JSC "Latvia's State Forests" (LVM), logging is carried out in the planned volumes; however, the prolonged summer rainfalls have introduced their own adjustments to the work organisation.

"In order to ensure the Latvian wood processing companies with the necessary materials in the required amounts, and to prevent their forced downtime, which can cause a reduction in tax revenue to the state budget, felling has been rescheduled, selecting sites with better conditions for transportation. At the same time, timber transportation costs have grown; also once logging is completed, the rut flattening works will have to be carried out more intensively," Juris Mālakalns, Head of the Logging Unit, comments the situation in forests.

Currently, the Latvian forest sector directly employs around 40 000 people, and indirectly work is provided to about 30 000 employees in sectors such as transport services, metalworking, education, science, construction, energy, etc. During five years, the forest has provided income for some 150 000 people. Even more importantly, the forest sector has ensured employment in rural areas, thus improving the quality of life of local residents and contributing to continuous operation of a number of service providers.