Wood And Furniture Industry
- Top quality raw base materials
- Over 2,000 companies are engaged in wood processing
- Many opportunities in sawn wood, engineered wood products, furniture, and paper
- 96% of companies are privately owned
Production of forest based industry is closely linked to the construction industry, matching its outputs to the demand of the construction industry. The Serbian real estate market is growing and many new buildings (residential areas, office buildings, etc.) are rising, increasing the domestic market demand. In addition, many Serbian construction companies are employed in Russian Federation causing the demand, in furniture industry, to further increase.
The necessary skill set for wood processing industry is being constantly built on. There are twenty two high schools specialized in wood processing, while the Forest Sciences Faculty at the Belgrade University educates thousand of young people each year. Serbian companies have a long standing tradition of collaboration with foreign buyers. Exceptional human capital available at very competitive prices, as the average monthly salary is €194, together with high quality raw materials provides equal opportunities on the domestic and foreign markets.
In order to achieve sustainable forest development and root out illegal logging, lumbering is managed by public enterprises Srbijašume and Vojvodinašume. These enterprises determine the quality of wood, and establish quantities for companies and individuals engaged in lumbering.
Broad leaves dominate the forest in Serbia with 87%, while the remaining part consists of all kinds of conifers. The main tree groups of Serbian natural forests are beech (30%), followed by oak (27%) and other broadleaves.
Most of the furniture companies are able to produce all categories of furniture and furnishing. They often team up with construction companies and provide full service for buildings throughout Serbia and Europe. According to official statistics, export of furniture and parts has increased 12% in 2005 in the main export markets such as: Italy, Greece and Germany.
