The LIFE CROLIS project was presented to participants at the “Wood Trade” conference held on July 4, 2024, at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb. The conference was a good opportunity for meeting, conversation, and exchange of experiences with private forest owners and entrepreneurs in the wood processing industry sector.

The European Union’s policy plays a significant role in the development of the bioindustry, and the forestry and wood processing sector is one of the most active in this field. The role of wood and wood products in carbon sink accounting has been emphasized in new EU legislation, such as the new LULUCF Regulation and the Regulation (EU) on making certain goods and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation available on the Union market and for export from the Union. Additionally, there are also interesting ongoing proposals for regulations related to monitoring the resilience of European forests and soil.

Recent reports and analyses on wood market trends in Europe indicate that the sectoral crisis is still present at the end of the second quarter of 2024. Consequently, the market for timber raw materials is saturated, especially the log market. Most industry stakeholders are hesitant to predict long-term market outcomes, preferring to wait until September when key market trends will become clearer after the annual European summer holidays. Historically, this period has been reliable for forecasting trends in the wood industry and forestry.

The conference provided an opportunity to engage in dialogue with representatives of private forest owners and wood processing industry stakeholders in Croatia and the Western Balkans, allowing for the exchange of experiences.

Improved long-term planning based on indicators and data facilitated by CROLIS, along with the potential for green business development supported by EU policies and programs, should ensure sustainable management of this significant and preserved forest resource in the Republic of Croatia.

The presentation is available for download here.

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