Södra recorded a loss of SKr59m during the first quarter but CEO Leif Brodén said “it’s too early to write off 2009 just yet”.
The loss after financial items compares with a profit of SKr297m a year ago. Sales totalled SKr3.7bn, down from SKr4.37bn.
“Severe production cutbacks and inventory changes have, at the same time, given the company firmer ground on which to proceed,” said Mr Brodén.
Södra said the sawn timber market had been quite poor, but there had been “gradual improvement each month of the year”.
“Inventory reductions are evident at each step in the customer chain, and we are now able to implement price increases in our primary markets,” it said.
Södra suspended final felling in March to balance demand.
