RMK to pay EUR 37.5 million in the form of dividends into the state budget this year  16.03

In 2017, RMK sold 3.8 million cubic metres of timber, with the prescribed cut for the state forest decreasing by 5% year-to-year. Logging was affected by rainy weather between August 2017 and the end of the year, which, on the one hand, prevented normal cutting; but, on the other hand, increased the price of timber. Broken down into groups of goods, timber was sold as follows: logs 48%, pulpwood 32%, fuel wood 15%, chips and cutting waste 5%.

The area of forests managed by RMK had increased to 1,006,500 hectares by the end of 2017. The value of forests as a biological asset increased, thanks to the growth of forest area and stocks of growing forests, by EUR 410 million. A total of 70,000 hectares of managed forests were additionally placed under strict protection. Placement under protection reduced the monetary value of the biological asset by EUR 151 million. Together with the change in the value of the biological assets, RMK’s profit for 2017 reached an extraordinary EUR 453 million.

In 2017, 21.2 million trees were planted – a million more plants compared to the year before. Reforestation sites were maintained on 24,600 hectares, cleaning was carried out on 19,000 hectares and thinning in middle-aged forests on 9900 hectares. Regeneration cutting was undertaken on 10,300 hectares, i.e., on 1% of RMK’s forest lands.

During the year, the number of visits to RMK’s recreational and protection areas increased by 100,000, reaching 2.4 million. RMK’s most popular recreational areas are located around Tallinn and Nõva; Lahemaa and Soomaa were the most visited national parks. In 2017, emphasis was placed on improving facilities for nature walking; about 30 different sites were in the process of being repaired or built. Some of the larger sites that were completed were the Ingatsi study trail, in Viljandi County; the Mukri observation tower, in Rapla County; and the Tuhu bog observation tower, in Pärnu County. Furthermore, the third branch of RMK’s Penijõe-Aegviidu-Kauksi hiking trail was put in place and a travelling exhibition about RMK’s hiking trails and values of forests Eesti Mets Räägib Eesti Lugu (The Estonian Forest Tells Estonia’s Story) was completed.

All in all, 207,000 people participated in RMK’s communication and education programmes. Last year RMK contributed EUR 5.3 million to provide opportunities for nature walking and sharing nature education.

In 2017, RMK spent EUR 2.65 million on nature protection work, i.e., EUR 750,000 more than the year before. The largest projects were the building of the infrastructure of the Mullutu-Loode preserve and the Alam-Pedja nature conservation area, as well as the restoration of the bog water regime in the Endla nature conservation area. In 2017, RMK restored seminatural communities or heritage communities on 551 hectares. RMK has entered into land use contracts with 359 natural and legal persons to maintain seminatural communities. Restoration works were completed on 290 hectares of wetlands; over 5000 hectares of wetland habitats are being restored. Moreover, last year RMK worked towards the improvement of the condition of the habitat of 24 protected species.

A total of EUR 22.5 million was paid to the state in the form of dividends for 2016, the related income tax was EUR 5.6 million. In 2016, RMK earned a profit of EUR 50.3 million.

RMK is estimating a turnover of EUR 185.5 million for 2018, with a profit of EUR 41.3 million is expected.

RMK takes care of one-fourth of Estonia and is the keeper, protector and manager of the forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Estonian state. RMK is guided in its activities by international standards on sustainable forestry. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, grows forestry plants, and organises forest and nature protection works. In addition, RMK creates opportunities for nature walking in recreational and protected areas and shapes nature awareness. RMK comprises the Sagadi Forest Centre, the Elistvere Animal Park, and the Põlula Fish Farm.