In January to August, forest industry exports increased by almost 2% compared to the year ago period. The growth in exports is mostly due to increased exports of pulp, paperboard and wood products. The paper industry’s situation continued to be difficult, pulp and paperboard production increased.

Paper industry production fell in January to September 2013 especially due to a reduction in the consumption of graphic papers caused by changes in structural demand and the economic slowdown.
A total of 4.8 million t of graphic printing and writing paper were produced in the first nine months of the year, which represents a drop of 4.3% compared to the corresponding period in 2012. Graphic paper grades account for approximately 60% of Finland’s paper production and consumption of these paper grades in Europe in January-September 2013 fell almost 6% compared to the year ago period.

Paperboard production in January-September amounted to 2.2 million t, which is about 8% more than in the corresponding period in 2012. Investments made into paperboard production capacity in Finland allowed for this increase in production. Pulp production in Finland in the first nine months of the year totalled 5.3 million t, which was 3.6% more than in the period year ago.