English - Convention on Biological Diversity

COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
from deciduous species and 25% from evergreen species. It should be noted that the
percentage of logs from deciduous trees is generally decreasing in comparison with logs
from coniferous trees.
Capital expenditures made in the general lumber industry and in the finished wood
products sector are satisfactory in technical structure. The amount of investment in
equipment is proportionally higher, but still needs to be increased within the areas of
sawn timber and plywood (i.e., increasing investments in favour of equipment instead of
constructed facilities).
Foreign trade within the lumber industry has been experiencing an increasing trend.
This industry has noted a much higher increase in imports compared with exports, which
have also increased, but at a much lower rate. Finished goods constitute 67% of total
lumber industry exports and 55% of imports. The total external trade balance within the
lumber industry was positive until 1995 but, since 1996, has reversed (i.e., imports are
now much higher than the exports).
The lumber industry share of the GDP of the Republic of Macedonia is very low –
0.3%.
5.2.2. Changes in the sector over time
Usage of forests during the period of transition has not experienced any dramatic
changes, although the manner of management has undergone a transformation (a public
company for forest management was established). Although the name has been changed,
the same former enterprises have essentially remained in place, controlling the same
forest areas and using the same forest management planning.
Following the trend of the general economy, the lumber industry in the Republic of
Macedonia has passed through a phase of privatising State-owned enterprises. The trend
toward the establishment of new enterprises, however, has been much more prominent.
By 1998, there were a total of 1,263 registered enterprises within the lumber industry,
compared to 72 in 1989 (a more than 17-fold increase). In 1998, the number of
enterprises engaged in the sawing of timber and the production of plywood was 235 or
18.6%, while the number producing finished wood products was 1,028, or 81.4%.
Regarding production facilities, plants for the sawing of timber (i.e., sawmills) are
predominant; establishments producing veneer and plywood are represented by only one
or two facilities each. The majority of enterprises for finished wood products produce
various types of furniture, with only a minor number being registered for the production
of parquet, cardboard and paper wrapping material or houses and sheds.
The average number of employees in the lumber industry has noted a decreasing
trend in recent years. Such trends are also seen in specific areas, such as in the
production of lumber and plywood and in the production of finished wood products. Of
the total number of employees in the lumber industry, on the average employees
engaged in lumber and plywood production account for 20%, while those involved in the
manufacture of finished wood products comprise 80%.
Based upon an analysis of the number of employees per individual enterprise, prior
to 1992, the lumber industry consisted primarily of medium-sized enterprises (i.e.,
between 51 and 250 employees). From 1992 onward, they were transformed into small
enterprises (up to and including 50 employees). Today, the so-called micro-enterprises
(i.e., 10 or less employees) are becoming more and more dominant within the Republic
of Macedonia.
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