The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to extend export restrictions on timber and scrap metal until the end of 2026, Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko said.
"The decision provides for a zero-quota licensing regime for the export of untreated wood, fuel wood, as well as ferrous scrap and copper. This allows us to preserve strategic raw materials in Ukraine and direct them to the needs of domestic processing," Sviridenko wrote in a telegram channel following a government meeting on Wednesday.
According to her, scrap metal is a critically important raw material for the Ukrainian metallurgy and Foundry industries.
"Despite the effect of the export duty, scrap exports were growing, often in transit to third countries without creating added value for Ukraine. Domestic processing, by contrast, provides jobs, tax revenue, and products needed for defense and reconstruction. Also, the use of scrap in metallurgical production reduces CO2 emissions, which is important, given the EU requirements," the Prime minister added.
As for wood, according to her, the government has extended some of the restrictions imposed at the end of October.
During the full-scale war, logging volumes decreased significantly due to the fighting. At the same time, woodworking enterprises are facing a shortage of raw materials and are forced to stand idle, and for many rural communities firewood remains a key resource for winter heating," she wrote.
Sviridenko noted that the extension of restrictions on the export of raw materials supports Ukrainian production, reduces pressure on the environment and strengthens the energy security of communities.
