THE ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has cast fresh doubt on the stability of 2022's timber market, the boss of a trade body has said. 

Timber Trade Federation (TTF) chief executive David Hopkins says expectations of a "comparatively stable market" this year may have to be reined in as the industry monitors how events unfold in the region. 

At least 9,000 people have lost their lives and one million fled the country since Russian president Vladimir Putin launched the attack last month. 

Russia is one of the world's most prominent exporters of timber but has been widely shunned by the international community in recent weeks, with numerous sanctions placed on the nation. 

READ MORE: Record levels of timber imported into the UK during 2021, according to TTF

The warning comes ahead of the TTF's publication of its Market Statement and shortly after it revealed that record volumes of timber were imported into the UK during 2021. 

David said: “We will be exploring what has been an extraordinary year for the timber industry in our upcoming Market Statement, which is set to come out next week.

Forestry Journal: Russia has devastated Ukraine since invading last month Russia has devastated Ukraine since invading last month

“Going forward, we had expected to see a comparatively stable market in 2022 however the awful situation in Ukraine has cast some doubt on this prediction.

“We will be looking closely to see how events unfold in the region and what impact this has on our sector.”