FFIF said increased wood product exports outside Europe, particularly to Asia, led to the 10% export boost.
Total wood product output grew to 7.4 million m3, while plywood production rose 5% to 800,000m3.
The forest industry’s wood raw material purchases increased 11% to 22.9 million m3, with log purchases amounting to 10.3 million m3.
But despite the more lively timber trade, mills’ competitiveness continues to be hit by high raw material costs.
Stumpage prices are up on a year ago, which FFIF says is creating an unsustainable burden on the forest industry.
It also said the industry is facing new additional costs totalling hundreds of millions of euros from the implementation of the EU Sulphur Directive, which adds to fuel costs, as well as a windfall tax on power plants.
