Peculiarities of the Post-Sanctions Reversal of Export Flows in Russia’s Forest and Pulp-and-Paper Industries

Introduction. The study is relevant because the forestry industry plays a vital role in the Russian economy, contributing significantly to GDP, exports, and employment. In the context of sanctions restricting access to foreign markets and complicating logistics, there is a need to develop domestic demand and identify alternative sales channels. Aim: to analyze the conditions and factors shaping the post-sanctions reversal and regional redistribution of export flows in Russia’s forest and pulp-and-paper industries. Materials and methods. The study draws on statistical reports and the collections Regions of Russia. Socio-economic indicators (2017-2022), as well as articles from scientific journals on economics, regional studies, and the forest industry. The methods included analysis of statistical data, including imports and exports reported by the Central Bank for 2015-2022, as well as the dynamics of the timber industry’s development in Russia in 2010-2022. Results. The study shows that the sustainable development of the timber industry should be based on establishing a new balance between domestic and foreign sales, taking into account the risks of instability in the export-oriented model, the closure of EU markets, logistical constraints, and rising costs for shipments along the southeastern export routes. Conclusion. The close interdependence of sectoral markets across countries, driven by globalization, led to large-scale losses during the 2020 lockdowns and subsequent sanctions, which in turn deepened the shortage of commodity supplies in the global economy. For Russia’s timber industry, the most pressing challenge is the reorientation of export flows towards Asian markets, particularly China.