Russian sanctions could leave Germans without popular Christmas decoration – Bild – RT Business News
A manufacturer of Christmas decorations in the German state of Saxony may close due to sanctions on Russian wood, German newspaper Bild reported on Saturday.
The company in question specializes in ‘schwibbogen’, traditional carved wooden arches with Christmas themes used as candle holders.
According to the report, the company, which has been producing these decorations for 30 years, has seen its warehouse stocks dwindle since the EU embargo on Russian wood and wooden products came into effect earlier this year. .
Company owner Katja Taulin told the outlet that while her company usually makes the decorations all year round, work is now only done to special order and she had to raise prices due to the lack of of supplies.
“Since the summer, we have stopped receiving Russian birch plywood, the market share of which [prior to sanctions] was 93%… Like all our colleagues, we have been looking for months on how to replace Russian wood. But it’s uselessTaulin said, noting that the quality of alternatives to Russian raw materials is inadequate.
“I don’t know what will happen next. These sanctions hurt us and our country,Taulin added.
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Brussels sanctioned Russian timber on April 9, with a transition period until July for companies whose import contracts were signed before that date. The restrictions covered wood and wood products, charcoal, wood pulp, paperboard, and wood furniture and furniture parts. However, according to Russian forestry regulator Roslesinforg, the country has been able to continue selling timber products to the EU via third countries.
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