Apr 24, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Metsäliitto Group, which includes the Finnforest business, has said its wood products division made a Euro 25 million loss during the 1Q, as Timber Industry Magazine informed Lesprom Network. Wood product sales totalled Euro 202 million, down from Euro 315 million a year earlier, with results burdened by a “distorted cost structure as a result of the low capacity utilisation rates. However, Metsäliitto said the interior decoration and garden range markets have not yet slowed down significantly and satisfactory price levels have been maintained in highly processed products. The group recorded a loss of Euro 93 million before tax and excluding non-recurring items. Sales were Euro 1.27 billion, down from Euro 1.71 million a year earlier. In its outlook, the group said cost adjustments would continue in all operations during the 2Q. “On the other hand, economic stimulus activities are expected to boost the activity in the European construction market, and project order stock in the wood products division is likely to remain at a good level,” it said.