Belarus’ woodworking companies exploring new markets

Belarusian woodworking companies have started exploring new markets in 2022, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom.

Belarusian manufacturers are asserting themselves and starting to establish a foothold in completely new markets. In fact, this year they have begun to penetrate such markets as Algeria, Tunisia, Kuwait, Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. “They have significantly grown their exports to Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Egypt. The export growth is 1.5-2 times,” the press service noted.

Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Nazarov visited the Gomeldrev manufacturer of furniture and woodworking products. He emphasized that one should not forget about traditional and time-tested markets like the Russian Federation and other CIS countries.

Domestic manufacturers are actively exploring possibilities to build momentum on traditional markets. Their efforts are bearing fruit. Thus, in January-May, enterprises affiliated with the Bellesbumprom concern increased exports to Russia almost 1.5 times (or by 47%). The share of the Russian market increased from 26% in January to 34% in May. Products are shipped to 68 regions of Russia. Positive dynamics is observed in 47 regions. “We obviously have room for growth: it is important to work more closely with each region. The same applies to other countries of the near and far abroad,” Yuri Nazarov emphasized.

The deputy prime minister was briefed on the company’s operations and its plans to increase furniture output, boost exports and grow sales in the domestic market. He studied the assortment in the company store, as well as the manufacturing process in the workshops.

Founded in 1879, Gomeldrev is one of the country’s largest and oldest furniture enterprises. It runs a full production cycle: from logging, sawmilling, drying, woodworking to production of finished products. At present the company offers more than 300 names of furniture products, over 150 names of wooden frame, plywood, MDF boards (sanded and laminated), flooring, piece parquet and parquet boards, sliced veneer, lumber, and much more.