Apr 25, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Sales for the first quarter of the year were Euro 357.1 million, 13% up from Euro 316.4 million for the first quarter of 2006. In terms of volume, pulp sales were down 2% at 645 300 tonnes. Operating profit was Euro 63.7 million, 32% higher than for the first quarter of last year when it was Euro 48.1 million. The improved sales and financial result are attributable to the positive trend in pulp prices. The weakening of the dollar against the Euro and the rise in wood raw material prices were the main factors adversely affecting the financial result. Operating profit showed a growth of 5% compared with the final quarter of 2006. First-quarter sales rose by 3%, or 19 000 tonnes, on the previous quarter. Outlook The market is expected to remain stable during the second quarter of 2007. Shortages of wood raw material will continue to affect the next few months, particularly in central Europe and North America. Pulp prices will come under pressure in the next few months. An increase of $20/tonne in the price of softwood pulp was announced from the start of April. The forest industry company Oy Metsä-Botnia Ab - marketing name Botnia - was founded in 1973, and it manufactures high quality bleached pulp grades under the name Botnia. Botnia is owned by M-real Oyj, Metsäliitto Osuuskunta, and UPM-Kymmene Oyj.