The Russian market of oriented strand boards has been dominated by small lots of imported OSB since the late 90s. The European part of Russia – the most developed region of the OSB market – imports boards from Poland and Germany. Kronospan group has launched a new plant in the Czech Republic and plans to commission OSB facilities at its new site in Bolderaya, Latvia. The eastern part of Russia imports OSB mainly from USA, Canada and Japan, though the volume of supplies is still quite small.
According to customs data, the leading exporter in 2005 was TechnoNikol Company, which operates in all regions of Russia and Ukraine. In 2006, Saint-Petersburg became the biggest OSB importer with 89,000 m3 of boards.
By 2008, OSB consumption is expected to grow up to 400,000–450,000 m3 per year. The average price of one m3 varies from 380 to 450 euros for imported boards.
Russian consumers are not really interested in differences between various foreign OSB brands. High prices, low consumption levels and lack of practical knowledge about OSB advantages are the factors significantly delaying the development of the Russian OSB market. According to experts, the number of OSB specialists in this country is insufficient. Many companies complain that they failed to find a project manager with required qualifications.
Large-scale OSB plant projects to be implemented in Russia announced by big players such as Kronostar, RNR, DOK Kalevala Ltd., Belarusneftegas Concern, etc., let us forecast intensified development of timber housing and drastic changes in the structure of the oriented strand board market.
The Russian OSB sector is thoroughly analyzed in Russian Forestry Review No. 2 (2007).
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