Belarus aims to diversify wood product exports to Africa

The diversification of Belarusian woodworking exports to Africa was discussed in the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, the press service of the Council of the Republic told BelTA.

The leadership of the Council of the Republic, the government, and the industry’s leading enterprises focused on diversifying exports, finding reliable logistical routes, and overcoming trade barriers.

“As you have often heard from the president, Africa is the continent of the future. Right now, it is a focal point for all major global players. This is a promising market where our products are in high demand. We can and must export what we produce to that region,” Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova said.

Current performance was reviewed in detail during the meeting, which included Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich. In 2025, Belarusian woodworking exports to Africa brought in $4 million, with plywood, pulp, and paper being the main export commodities.

Summing up the outcomes of the meeting, the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic urged the leadership of the industry and enterprises to pursue an active marketing policy, demonstrate initiative, and effectively leverage the capabilities of Belarusian diplomatic missions abroad. The speaker emphasized that there must be no room for bureaucracy when it comes to defending the country’s economic interests.

Earlier, during similar meetings in the Council of the Republic, the prospects for boosting exports of domestic engineering products, agriculture, light industry, the petrochemical industry, and pharmaceuticals were analyzed in detail.