Foreign trade in roundwood and forest industry products, 6/2024 (preliminary)

After a decline in the first quarter of the year, the export and import of the forest industry returned to normal levels in the second quarter. In June, the export value of the forest industry was approximately one billion euros, which is in line with the nominal average of the previous year. However, the real value improved by 3% (using Wholesale Price Index, 1949=100).

In June, 0.4 million cubic metres of wood were imported to Finland, which was 4% more than the monthly average of the previous year. The import of pulpwood increased by as much as 24% compared to the monthly average of the previous year, while the import of logs, chips, and other wood decreased.

Forest Industry Exports in April–June 2024

• The total export value of forest industry products was 3.3 billion euros in April–June, averaging 1.1 billion euros per month. The export value of the forest industry saw a significant increase in the second quarter of the year compared to the beginning of the year. Of the export value, 21% came from paper, 28% from paperboard, and 19% from pulp. Sawn timber accounted for 18% and plywood for 6% of export revenues.

• The export value of the wood product industry was 0.9 billion euros in April–June, averaging 0.3 billion euros per month. The real export value of the wood product industry rose by 50% from the first quarter. Compared to the value of the second quarter of the previous year, there was an increase of 5%.

• The pulp and paper industry exports were worth 2.4 billion euros in the second quarter, which was 5% more than in the corresponding period of the previous year. Compared to the first quarter, the export value of the pulp and paper industry increased by 20%.

• The real export value of paperboard increased by 10% compared to the second quarter of the previous year, and the export volume increased by 15%, indicating that the price level of paperboard was lower this year.

Wood Imports in April–June 2024

• During April–June, 1.4 million cubic metres of wood were imported to Finland, the same amount as in the same period last year. Compared to the first quarter of this year, wood imports increased by 6%.

• Of the wood volume, 41% was imported from Latvia, 35% from Estonia, and 15% from Sweden.

• 64% of the wood imports in the second quarter was pulpwood, and 29% were chips, and 1% logs. The import of pulpwood decreased by 3% compared to the same period in 2023 but increased 49% from the first quarter of this year. The import volume of chips grew by 50% from the second quarter of last year but decreased by 25% compared to the beginning of 2024.