2015

JSC "Latvian State Forests" marks 16th birthday

16 years have passed since the joint-stock company "Latvian State Forests" (LVM) was founded. The company has grown, increased, and improved itself over this time, becoming an innovative and skilled forest manager, a significant contributor to the state budget, and a responsible member of society. Today, the company operates so that the coming generation adeptly continues the objectives at hand.

Compared with the company's beginnings in 2000, LVM's turnover in 2014 has increased more than eleven-fold, reaching EUR 275.7 million. The company used its 2014 profit to pay EUR 67.908 million in dividends into the state budget this year. In 2003, in addition to selling of live trees, the company began distribution of round timber, whose supply volume in 2014 amounted to 90 percent of the total sale amount of timber. Since 2007, LVM also sells the energy woodchip.

Forest management is the main activity of LVM, however, the company also deals with other activities – provides hunting and recreation services, acquires selected seeds and seedlings for forest restoration. A significant segment of LVM's production is exported to third countries. From this year's 44 million forest seedlings, 9.4 million were exported to foreign clients – this year's volume significantly exceeds previous amounts. The company also manages the Kalsnava Arboretum or the captivating garden of trees, as well as offers customers more than 600 types of various decorative plantlets.

Without harming the biologic diversity and complying with nature protection requirements, LVM supplies wood industry with the necessary amounts of timber, thus ensuring 20 percent of Latvia's export value.

Another significant aspect concerns forest recreation – forest is a place for strolls, active recreation, mushroom hunting, berry picking, and other activities. The company devotes 5 percent of its territory to ensure these recreational opportunities. More than 350 free recreational places have been made for the residents of Latvia. Thus, the diverse interests of residents are balanced – the company provides timber for state economy, forest services for the community, at the same time keeping in mind the interests of nature.