The global economic downturn has cut demand for forest-based industry products considerably in 2009. Production volumes have increased in the latter half of the year after bottoming out in the spring.
According to the Finnish Forest Industries Federation’s estimate, the value of the industry’s production was about €15 billion in 2009, of which some €4 billion was generated by the wood products industry and €11 billion by the pulp and paper industry.
The value of the industry’s production in the final quarter of 2009 was around €4 billion.
"The forest industry of Finland has modernised its structures and increased the efficiency of its operations powerfully, providing the industry with good opportunities for success as the recession abates. Work to enhance cost-competitiveness and improve possibilities for future success continues ", says Timo Jaatinen, Director General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.