The timber industry is one of the sectors experiencing an upturn in 2021. This has also had a positive impact on a large proportion of those involved in the sector, including companies in the Port of Riga offering services related to timber processing and transport.

"Growth is also being driven by exports to the USA, as European producers sent 30% more timber cargo in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. Although timber prices have risen globally, the sharpest increase in prices and demand is being seen specifically in the USA, where timber product prices have tripled," says Kristaps Klauss, Executive Director of the Latvian Forest Industry Federation, describing the situation.

"The spring has been very active. The volume of sawn timber and panel materials at "WT Terminal" has approximately doubled," emphasises Andis Bunkšis, board member of the "WT Terminal" company operating in the Freeport of Riga. "WT Terminal", which specialises in stevedoring and timber processing services, has for several years been one of the fastest-growing companies in the Port of Riga. As demand for timber increases, "WT Terminal" continues to invest in warehouse expansion and the acquisition of new loading equipment. "These are relatively expensive materials, so loading technology and record-keeping are closely linked and are not a simple process at all. We are investing not only in loading technologies but also in IT solutions, on which the accurate recording and dispatch of cargo directly depend," explains Bunkšis.