Finnish forest industry has registered an annual production growth of approximately 12% in 2010, but the volume has not yet raised to the level of 2008, is shown in a press release issued by the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.
Production of pulp and paper industry increased by 11% and wood products industry increased by 14%. Continuing this positive trend depends on maintaining control of internal costs. "Exports account for half of Finland’s revenue, so changes affecting the business environment in the industry gain of major importance. Increasing internal costs have a direct impact on the competitiveness of export products on the market. Taxes and fuel energy will reach to 100 million € this year alone, and that is diminishing our ability to compete on international markets, " Timo Jaatinen said, Director General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.
"The tax credit granted forest industry, an intensive energy consumer must be granted in a way that will place Finland on equal status with its competitor countries. The forestry industry in Finland is far from the markets in Central Europe, which means that the costs increase due to our shipping costs. Last year, collective agreements in the forestry industry have been moderate. Inflationary pressures mean that Finland can not afford to erode national competitiveness on that front", added Jaatinen.
The Federation estimates that the value of forest industry production rose to over 19 billion euros in 2010, up nearly 25% compared to 2009. Pulp and paper revenues were around 14 billion euros. Production volumes increased in all sectors of the forestry industry. Finland has produced 6.7 million tons of paper pulp, with 22% more than in 2009. Paper and paperboard production increased to 11.8 million tons, up 11% over the previous year, while timber production has increased by 17% compared to 2009, to 9.4 million cubic meters.
Finnish forest industry has had to undergo a structural change aimed at maintaining competitiveness. The measures implemented have already had results. A recent survey shows that investment by domestic forest industry reached almost 650 million euros in 2010, with 25% more than the previous year. And exports have recorded higher values than last year: the volume of exports rose by about 15% and export value reached about 25% to about 10.5 billion euros in 2010.
Source: http://wood.lesprom.com |
