In January-September, wood products production in Finland increased 7%

Nov 12, 2014. /Lesprom Network/. In January-August 2014, Finland's forest industry exports, including furniture, amounted to Euro 7.5 billion, Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF) reported. This corresponds to the figures seen in 2013. The forest industry is planning investments worth approximately Euro 1.5 billion in Finland, and they are expected to increase timber use by about 10 million cubic metres a year.

“The economic outlook in Finland and across Europe continues to be weak and there are no signs of a significant improvement in demand in our main markets. Despite the weak economic situation, the forest industry has confidence in the future, as its substantial investment projects in Finland suggest,” says Timo Jaatinen, President of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.

“The investments must be secured with efficient timber markets and logistics, as much greater volumes of wood will be needed. Our competitiveness must also be enhanced with long-term energy solutions that support industry as well as added productivity and flexibility in the labour markets,” says Timo Jaatinen.

The paper industry’s situation continued to be challenging, pulp and paperboard production declined a little. A drop in paper consumption, graphic paper in particular, reduced paper industry output in January-September 2014. A total of about 4.6 million tonnes of graphic printing and writing paper were manufactured in the first nine months of the year, which is about 4% less than in the year ago period. Graphic paper grades account for approximately 60% of Finland’s paper production.

Paperboard production in January-September 2014 amounted to almost 2.2 million tonnes. Paperboard production volumes remained unchanged compared to the corresponding period in 2013. Pulp production in Finland in January-September totalled about 5.2 million tonnes, which represents a drop of 2% compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

Sawmill and plywood industry production grew slightly. In January-September, wood products production increased 7% compared to the year ago period and amounted to almost 8.2 million cubic metres. Plywood production increased 7% and amounted to just over 850,000 cubic metres. Timber trade continued to be steady, no major changes in stumpage prices

The timber trade continued steadily after the summer holiday season. In the first nine months of the year, the Finnish Forest Industries Federation’s member companies bought 23.1 million cubic metres of wood from private forests, which is 1% more than in the corresponding period in 2013. Log procurement amounted to 10.4 million cubic metres and pulpwood to 11.9 million cubic metres.