Greece imposes a temporary ban on exports of timber products outside the country, Naftemporiki portal reported.

A ban on exports of processed or unprocessed timber products to both European Union countries and third countries is imposed from November 15 this year until March 1, 2023, due to the high price of these products on the market and the increased risk of illegal logging in the coming winter, the publication writes.

The prices of electricity, gas, gasoline and diesel and solid fuel have increased significantly in Greece. Firewood prices have risen by 30-40%, depending on the wood - pine trees cost 140-150 euros per cubic meter, olive trees 170-180 euros per cube, a bag of firewood costs 15-16 euros instead of 9-12 euros. Many houses in Greece have fireplaces, and people actively use them in winter.

An amendment to ban the export of logging products was introduced Tuesday in the Greek Ministry of Development and Investment in Parliament.

All logging materials that are attempted to be shipped to another EU member state are confiscated. The confiscated products shall be immediately transferred to the competent local development office of the region concerned, so that they can be used for urgent social needs, or for socially useful purposes, or for charitable activities, the document reads.

As for third countries, export of timber products to them in violation of the ban is considered smuggling and carries an administrative penalty of €200 fine for each cubic meter of timber products and imprisonment of at least one year.

All logging products that are attempted to be exported are also confiscated.