The state company Latvijas Valsts meži is still the largest owner of Latvian forests – 1.6 million hectares. However, according to Baltic Screenstudy based on the data from the State Land Service, only three local companies rank in the top 10 of the biggest forest land owners, reports Pietiek.com.

Just recently, the eighth biggest forest (4 438 hectares) owner SIA Meža fonds was sold to an Estonian company Anrema Grupp, according to Lursoft.

Foreigners have been breaking records. SIA Myrtillus – a subsidiary of the SwedishBergvik Skog AB (just like other two top 10 members Fragaria and Ruda) acquired more than additional 18 thousand hectares in 2011.

Foran Real Estate owned by the Swedish SPP Livforsakring AB and NorwegianStorebrand Livsforsikring AS purchased additional 3 571 hectares of Latvian forest land over the year.

Other leading foreign companies with their “parents” abroad include Fragaria (+ 3 000 hectares) and Sodra mežs (+ 1 600 hectares).

Source:
bnn-news.com