"Finland and the European economic outlook is still weak and no significant improvement in demand in our main markets are in sight. Despite the weak economic situation, the forest industry has faith in the future, as demonstrated by the ongoing, large-scale investment projects in Finland," said Finnish Forest Industries Federation's President and CEO Timo Jaatinen.

 

"These investments will ensure the active timber market and logistics, as wood is needed significantly more. Our competitiveness is also needed to make improvements for the long-term, to support the energy industry, as well as the productivity, and also increase the flexibility of the labor market," Jaatinen emphasized.

 

In the January-August period, exports of the Finnish forest industry, including furniture, amounted to EUR 7.5 billion. The value was largely at 2013 levels. 

 

The paper industry continues to be challenged as pulp and paperboard production has declined slightly. The paper industry cut production in January-September 2014, particularly in the graphic papers segment where consumption continues to fall off. A total of 4.6 million metric tons of graphic printing and writing papers were produced in January-September, which is about 4% less than in the previous year.

 

Pulp production in Finland in January-September amounted to 5.2 million metric tons. This compares with 2% for the corresponding period in the previous year.

 

Sawn timber production increased in January-September by 7% percent compared with the same period last year and amounted to almost 8.2 million cubic meters. Plywood production increased by 7%, slightly more than 850,000 cubic meters per year.

 

Timber sales remained steady in the summer holiday period. In January-September, Finnish Forest Industries Federation member companies purchased 23.1 million cubic meters of wood from private forests, which is 1% more than in the corresponding period of 2013.

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