On 21 January the government approved an order on the maximum permitted volume of tree felling for 2026-2030, setting it for the next five years for final felling in state forests. Compared with the previous period (2021-2025), the calculated maximum permitted volume of tree felling has been reduced by 9.5%, or 8,591.5 hectares. Broken down by dominant tree species in hectares and, for information, in cubic metres derived from the area, the maximum permitted volume of tree felling has been set for each state forest manager, and these are:

• AS „Latvijas valsts meži”,
• the “Meža pētīšanas stacija” agency,
• the national armed forces,
• vocational education institutions.

The precise calculated maximum permitted volume of tree felling in state forests in final felling, by dominant tree species and by holding, can be found in the order “On the maximum permitted volume of tree felling for 2026–2030”.

Forestry plays a significant role in Latvia's economy. It provides resources for manufacturing while also boosting our national economy and social welfare. In 2023 forestry, woodworking and furniture manufacturing accounted for 6% of gross domestic product, while exports reached 3.3 billion euros – 17% of the country's total exports.

The State Forest Service will begin issuing certificates for the 2026-2030 felling volume in final felling in state forests on 1 November 2025.

The purpose of setting a maximum permitted volume of tree felling is to regulate the timber harvest in state forests so as to ensure sustainable forest management and a stable, predictable supply of timber products, while observing the nature protection restrictions in place. The felling volume calculations use current information from the State Forest Register.

The order “On the maximum permitted volume of tree felling for 2026–2030” comes into force at the moment of its signing and will be published in the official gazette “Latvijas Vēstnesis”.