“ The competitive ability of the Finnish forest industry is being tested

to the extremes by market conditions and the constant rise in costs.

Finland must retain a stronger competitive position than our rival

countries, as this is the only way to ensure that forest industry

operations remain viable in our country, ” says Timo Jaatinen, Director

General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.

Finland produced 5.1 million tonnes of pulp in January-September,

roughly the same amount as in the corresponding period of 2011. Pulp

exports were up 16% to 1.9 million tonnes from the previous year.

January-September paper and paperboard production came to 8.0 million

tonnes, down about 8% from the corresponding period of 2011. After a

weak start to the year, paperboard production started to rise and

third-quarter production was up 4% from the corresponding period of

2011.

January-September paper exports were down 9% and paperboard exports 2%

in volume compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

The export prices of the biggest paper and paperboard product

categories increased compared to the beginning of the year.