Oct 23, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Södra’s profits between January-September operating profits halved to SEK 311 million ($ 46 million), compared to a year ago, TTJ reported. But Södra said it was “very pleased” about increasing sawmill productivity and a sawn timber price recovery. “Södra Timber has been meeting is profitability requirement since September and we expect that to continue during the rest of the year,” said Södra President and CEO Leif Brodén. “On a global basis, sawlogs are in short supply and we have adapted to the ongoing weak demand. “We anticipate an upturn in new housing construction next year in the US and other countries, albeit from a very low base. The shortage in the timber market is expected to continue in 2010 and hold back production increases.” Södra’s group sales were SEK 12.6 billion ($1.8 billion), down from SEK 13 billion ($2 billion) a year ago.