Finland’s forest industry purchased 25% more wood last year from private forests than in 2006, according to statistics just released.
The total, almost 53 million m3, constitutes a new record, according to the Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF).
However, FFIF president and CEO Anne Brunila said the industry would need even more wood in the future.
“If we want to keep employment and production at present levels, privately owned forests must supply at least 60 million m3 of wood each year,” she said.
“In terms of sustainable use of Finland’s forest resources, this is a reasonable target but increasing felling to such levels will require a more active contribution from private forest owners.”
Ms Brunila said the government needed to do more to encourage forest owners to bring more wood to market, especially in light of Russian export duties which were threatening to cut off a supply source in early 2009 unless a solution was found.
“At present, about 10 million m3 of wood in privately owned forests remain unused each year.”
