OREANDA-NEWS. April 21, 2011. Latvian forestry saw a surge in logging activity in 2010 due to the booming nature of the Baltic timber trade. Compared with 2009, output from Latvian forests was up by 21% throughout the course of the year, as KMS Baltics reports.

The news provider heard from State Forest Service spokesperson Selva Sulce that 12.98 million cubic square metres of timber was chopped down. More than half of this amount came from state-owned forests, while 41.1% was taken from private areas.

Latvian timber exports fluctuated by 46 per cent last year, with Germany, Sweden and the UK being the main areas of business for Eastern European firms. Last month, the Latvian Forest Certification System was approved by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. This means that firms operating in the country are maintaining the highest working standards and are being respectful of the local environment.