The value of Finnish forest industry exports was up 1.6% and total production increased slightly from the corresponding period of 2013, according to a report this past week by the Finnish Forest Industries Federation. European economic uncertainty is having an impact on the market for forest industry products. The industry is seeking fresh growth from the bioeconomy. Major forest industry investments which have a total value of some Euro 1.5 billion being planned in Finland are demonstrations of this trend.

 

Finland's paper industry production in the first half of 2014 remained almost exactly level with the corresponding period of 2013. In total, 5.2 million tons of paper and paperboard were produced in January - June. The decline of graphic paper production has continued, but production of paperboard and some other paper grades, such as hygiene papers, grew.

A total of 3.1 million tons of printing and writing paper was produced in January-June, 1.3% less than in the previous year. Consumption of graphic paper continued to decline in Europe because of structural reasons, although the rate of decline has slowed when compared to recent years.

Some 1.5 million tons of paperboard was produced in January-June, 0.5% more than in the corresponding period of 2013.

Finland produced 3.5 million tons of pulp in January-June. Even though production contracted, pulp exports increased more than 5% in the first half of 2014.