RMK to pay EUR 30 million in dividends to the State 09.03

RMK sold 4 million cubic metres of timber last year. Eliminating the consequences of the thunderstorm that hit the forests of Southern Estonia and the deforestation of training grounds for the Defence Forces has raised this figure to 10% more than last year and what was planned with the 2016 budget. The prices of timber remained stable in 2016, but due to the greater sales volume, RMK’s turnover grew by 8% and profit by 40% when compared to 2015. As for the type of timber sold, logs accounted for 46%, pulp wood for 34%, firewood for 15%, and wood chips and residuals for 5%. 

The volumes of silvicultural works also increased in 2016. A total of 20.2 million trees were planted, i.e. 900,000 more than in 2015. Forest renewal was maintained on 24,000 hectares; clearance of young growth, to improve their habitat conditions, was performed on 19,300 hectares; and thinning in middle-aged forests was performed on 9000 hectares. Regeneration cutting was carried out on 10,500 hectares, which is 1% of state forest land. 

Over the year, the number of visits to the recreational and protected areas of RMK increased by 100,000, reaching 2.3 million. RMK’s most popular recreational areas are located around Tallinn and Nõva; the most visited national parks were Lahemaa and Soomaa. The number of visits grew the most in Haanja and Karula, in the regions of Aegviidu and Kõrvemaa, and around Tartu and Jõgeva. The growing interest towards hiking in nature has been supported by sites that have been reconditioned in recent years – e.g. Mohni nature trail, in Lahemaa; Orjaku learning trail and Leemeti forest hut, in Hiiu County; Alatskivi learning trail, in Tartu County; Marimetsa hiking trail’s lookout tower, in Lääne County; and Koigi learning trail, in Saare County. 

Nearly 53,000 enthusiasts took part in RMK’s nature education programmes. Last year RMK contributed EUR 4.9 million to provide opportunities to move around in nature and offer educational courses on nature. 

RMK spent EUR 1.9 million on nature conservation works in 2016, which is 10% more than the year before. Under RMK’s lead, semi-natural biotic communities, i.e. heritage biotic communities, were restored on 1000 hectares in 2016; out of that, 963 hectares needed design cutting to specific requirements. Compared to 2015, three times more works were performed. To maintain semi-natural biotic communities, RMK has entered into land use agreements with 349 natural and legal persons. 

The restoration of marshland was completed on 70 hectares by the end of 2016, but works are still in progress on more than 2700 hectares, which will be doubled this year at a minimum. RMK also conducted specific works last year to improve the habitat of 29 protected species. 

RMK has 971,000 hectares in its possession, the value of which as a biological asset has been established at EUR 2.92 billion. 

For the year 2015, EUR 19.6 million was paid to the State in the form of dividends, on which income tax accounted for EUR 4.9 million. In 2015, RMK’s annual profit was EUR 36.2 million. RMK forecasts the turnover and profit for 2017 to reach EUR 178 million and EUR 39 million, respectively.  

RMK cares for one-fourth of Estonia; it is the keeper, protector and manager of the forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Republic of Estonia. RMK bases its operations on the international sustainable forestry standards. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, growing reforestation material, and organising forest and nature conservation works. In addition, RMK establishes opportunities for nature walking in recreational and protected areas and shapes nature awareness. RMK consists of the Sagadi Forest Centre, the Elistvere Animal Park, AS Eesti Metsataim and the Põlula Fish Farm. More than 700 people work for RMK.