Jan 23, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. East-Siberian railways reported cargo transportation increased 28% in 2003 compared with the prior period in 2002. Timber cargoes accounted for 15,4% of total transportation volume, Russian railways public-affairs reported. China and Japan were the main export destinations in 2003. Russian timber exporters faced market satiety with goods in 2003, the demand for Russian timber goods from Japanese importers went down which caused a drastic price drop by more than $10-12 per 1 cub m. Average loading declined 0,5% in 2003. Chinese timber market will continue to remain favorable for Russian timber supplies, experts believe. According to the forecast in spite of the negative price juncture and the decline of demand on the Japanese markets timber loading on East-Siberian railways will remain on the prior level in 2004.