Tuesday, January 20, 2026
With the extension of PEFC forest certification to 106,000 hectares of state-owned forests, encompassing 23 forest management units (FMUs) around the nation, North Macedonia has made a substantial advancement in sustainable forest management. The achievement improves Macedonian wood products’ access to worldwide markets, especially in the European Union, while bolstering the country’s forestry sector’s environmental credentials.
The newly certified areas are managed in line with the PEFC MK 03:2020 National Standard for Sustainable Forest Management, which was endorsed by the PEFC Council in 2022. Certification followed the standard’s phased implementation and an extensive training programme for staff of PE National Forests, the public enterprise responsible for managing commercially used state forests. The process confirms that forest operations meet internationally recognised benchmarks for sustainability, legality, and long-term resource stewardship.
Forests cover approximately 40% of North Macedonia’s land area, forming one of the country’s most valuable natural assets. The nation’s forest landscape is highly diverse, ranging from sub-Mediterranean forest ecosystems in the south to continental and sub-Alpine forests in the north. This geographical variation supports a rich dendroflora, comprising 319 species of trees and shrubs, including more than 80 subspecies and varieties across 119 genera and 54 families.
Notably, around 16% of these species are Balkan endemics or sub-endemics, highlighting the regional and international importance of forest conservation in North Macedonia. Approximately 88% of the country’s forests are state-owned, giving public authorities a central role in balancing economic use with biodiversity protection.
In recent years, government decisions to designate new protected areas—covering more than 100,000 hectares of forest—have further strengthened conservation efforts. As a result, over 25% of North Macedonia’s forests are now managed under stricter criteria defined by the national Law on Nature Protection, complementing certification-driven sustainability measures in commercial forest areas.
The practical impact of PEFC certification began to take shape in 2024, when the national standard was first applied within selected commercial forests. Following audits and capacity-building initiatives, certification was awarded to 106,000 hectares across 23 FMUs. This progress contributes to the forestry sector’s longer-term objective of certifying up to 300,000 hectares of state-owned forests, reinforcing sustainable management across a substantial share of the national forest estate.
Beyond environmental benefits, PEFC certification provides assurance that forest resources are responsibly managed, traceable, and aligned with international sustainability expectations. This is particularly relevant for North Macedonia’s wood processing industry, where European beech plays a central role. Beech timber is widely used in furniture manufacturing and other value-added wood products, many of which are destined for export markets.
As PEFC certification continues to expand, the ability to supply 100% PEFC-certified timber is expected to open new opportunities for Macedonian producers. Certified status helps domestic companies meet the procurement requirements of European buyers and global brands that increasingly demand verified sustainable sourcing.
By combining biodiversity protection, responsible forest governance, and internationally recognised certification, North Macedonia is strengthening the competitiveness of its forestry sector. The expansion of PEFC-certified forests positions the country as a reliable supplier of sustainable wood products while safeguarding its diverse forest ecosystems for future generations.
Read more news on: forestry
Get such updates through woodandpanel.us
Tags: Balkan forestry industry, certified wood products Europe, European beech timber, forest biodiversity North Macedonia, North Macedonia forestry, PEFC certification North Macedonia, sustainable forest management Balkans
Comments: