Ukraine has extended export restrictions on unprocessed timber and fuelwood until the end of 2026, reinforcing a strategic push toward domestic value-added processing and energy security for rural regions. The decision was adopted at the Cabinet’s final meeting of the year and sets a licensing regime with zero quotas, effectively barring exports of roundwood and firewood.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the measure is intended to preserve strategic raw materials for internal needs. She noted that logging has fallen sharply due to hostilities, while woodworking enterprises face shortages and downtime, and many rural communities rely on firewood for heating amid energy infrastructure challenges. The restrictions build on temporary bans enacted in late October 2025 and formalize a two-year framework for the forestry and timber sector. Ukraine has put in place significant restrictions on logs exports since 2015 (Source: Fordaq).