Foreign trade in roundwood and forest industry products, 9/2024 (preliminary)

In September, the export value of the forest industry amounted to €0.97 billion, which was 2% less than last year’s monthly average in real terms (using Wholesale Price Index, 1949=100). The export of sawn timber improved by 17% compared to the previous year’s average, while the export value of the pulp and paper industry declined by 6%.

In September, 0.43 million cubic metres of wood were imported to Finland, which is 4% more than the monthly average of the previous year. The import of pulpwood increased by 19%, and logs by as much as 35% compared to last year’s monthly average. However, the import of chips decreased by 2%, and other wood imports plummeted by 49%.

Forest Industry Exports in July–September 2024

• The total export value of forest industry products was €3.16 billion in July–September, averaging €1.05 billion per month. The export value contracted slightly, by just over 3%, compared to the second quarter. Of the export value, 22% came from paper, 29% from cardboard, and 21% from pulp. Sawn timber accounted for 16%, and plywood for 4%.

• The export value of the wood product industry was €0.76 billion in July–September, averaging €0.25 billion per month. The real export value of the wood product industry declined by 16% compared to the April–June value. However, compared to the third quarter of the previous year, the value increased by 18%.

• The export value of the pulp and paper industry rose to €2.40 billion in the third quarter, which was nearly 2% higher than in the previous quarter. Compared to the third quarter of the previous year, the export value of the pulp and paper industry increased by 13%.

• The real export value of cardboard was €0.91 billion. It remained almost unchanged from the previous quarter and was 22% higher than in the corresponding period of 2023.

Wood Imports in July–September 2024

• During July–September, 1.37 million cubic metres of wood were imported to Finland, which was as much as 74% more than in the corresponding period last year. Compared to the second quarter of this year, wood imports decreased by 1%. Wood imports have been more stable this year compared to the previous year.

• Of the imported wood, 41% came from Latvia, 34% from Estonia, and 17% from Sweden. Of the wood, 68% was pulpwood, 21% was wood chips, and less than 2% was sawlogs.