Printing and writing paper production totalled 1.6 million tonnes, which is almost the same amount as in January-March 2013. In the early part of the year, paper exports were slightly higher than a year ago.
Fine paper exports in particular increased 3.2% compared to the corresponding period a year earlier. The reduction in European graphical papers consumption has slowed down and demand fell only 2.2% in the first part of the year.
In early 2013, paperboard production increased almost 20% compared to the previous year. In January-March this year, paperboard production volumes remained at about the same level as in the year ago period and totalled 750,000 tonnes, which is less than one per cent less than in the 1Q 2013.
In January-March pulp production totalled 1.8 million tonnes, which is 1.2% more than in the corresponding period in 2013. Pulp exports grew 10.2% from the year ago. The increase in the market price of pulp, which started in autumn 2012, continued.
“UPM’s announcement regarding an investment at its Kymi pulp mil started off a series of investment news. Metsä Group’s Äänekoski investment and Stora Enso’s Varkaus investment, both announced in April, confirm that the sector has a strong desire to revitalise itself and to grow as well as strengthen its position in the bio-economy market,” says Director General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, Timo Jaatinen.