Astrakhan region and Iran reached a compromise on phytosanitary requirements for lumber

Exports of lumber from Russia to Iran during 2013 have been decreasing steadily due to the phytosanitary requirements of the Iranian side, as said in the message of Astrakhan region government.

According to the customs data available to WhatWood editorial staff, the volume of softwood lumber exports to Iran was growing in the summer, and only then declined sharply.

The regional authorities say that the main complexity is the requirement of the Iranians to disinfect lumber with a poisonous chemical, methyl bromide, the application of which is limited within residential zones and in the winter period.

There have been already situations when the port of Astrakhan accumulated large quantities of lumber prepared for exports to Iran and not shipped because of this unsustainable requirement of the Iranian side.

At the meeting with the Iranian party vice-governor Konstantin Markelov reached a compromise: the Iranians agreed that the Russian shippers would utilize heat treatment instead of chemical one. In the near future the sides will sign a supplement to the agreement that will resolve the situation with the lumber exports.