Forest industry reports major growth in exports

The Finnish forest industry reported major growth in exports on Sunday -- 38 percent growth in revenue from pulp exports in the period from January to September, while the volume grew by 16 percent.

The revenue from paper exports grew by 6.7 percent and cardboard 8.8 percent, the Forest Industries Federation announced.

The main export market is Europe, but demand for pulp has increased in Asia in recent years. The demand for Finnish saw timber has declined in Asia though, but it has been offset by increased exports to Europe, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported.

Finnish forest owners have been able to cash in on the increased demand.

Tomi Salo, the forest director of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, said record purchases have been done. The Pellervo Research Institute told Yle that forest owners are earning 2.2 billion-euro gross income, which is an increase by 16 percent from last year.

At the same time, Finland has increased imports of raw wood. Birch for pulp has been purchased from the Baltic countries but also from Russia.

Salo also commented favourably on the government's plans that consumption of wood could be increased to 80 million cubic meters by 2025. The current usage is around 70 million.