Jan 27, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. Despite increased logging after the windstorm that hit Slovakia in November 2004 Slovak wood processing companies complain that they do not have sufficient supply of reasonably priced wood to process. Representatives of the Association of Wood Processing Firms in Slovakia (ZSD) stated this at a press conference on Thursday. They ascribe the lack of wood to increased exports, where according to them timber is sold at a lower price than in Slovakia. ZSD vice-president Peter Lispuch said that the association estimates last year's exports at 50% of logged wood, estimated at between 8 million and 9 million cubic meters. The association based its estimates on statistical data for eight months of 2005 when wood extraction amounted to 3.5 million cubic meters. ZSD claims that state company Lesy SR exports only 8% of its production but sells wood to companies that further export the purchased wood. “Last year wood exports amounted to about 4 million cubic meters, translating into about 4,000 jobs, SKK 680 million ($18.27 million) in wages, SKK 258 million in compulsory insurance payments and SKK 210 million in income taxes,” said Ivan Kolenka from the Technical University in Zvolen. He further claims that Lesy SR signs disadvantageous contracts with foreign clients and that this raises suspicions of cronyism.