Apr 23, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The sales of Metsä Tissue, supplier of tissue and cooking papers, totalled Euro 218 million during the 1Q, compared to Euro 230 million during the 1Q last year. The operating profit was Euro 19 million (Euro 9 million), as the company informed Lesprom Network. Metsä Tissue's reduction in sales resulted from lower sales volumes (-3%) and exchange rate fluctuations (-2%). The sales of the company’s own brands increased by 3% over the previous year. The operating profit grew by Euro 10 million. Both the efficiency improvement projects and decreased raw material costs contributed to the improved operating profit. Fluctuations in exchange rates, especially the weaker Swedish krona and the UK pound, had a negative impact on sales and operating profit. The current economic crises has not significantly affected the demand for tissue and cooking papers, Metsä Tissue writes in its report. The growth has, however, slowed down in developing markets, in particular.