The value of Finnish forest industry exports was EUR 0.60 billion, compared with a monthly average of EUR 1.00 billion in the previous year, the Finnish Natural Forest Institute (Luke).

In March, 0.39 million cubic metres of wood were imported into Finland, which was 23% less than the monthly average of the previous year. However, imports of wood chips increased by 19% compared to last year's average.

The total value of Finnish forest industry product exports was EUR 2.58 billion in January-March, an average of EUR 0.86 billion per month. The value of forest industry exports showed a downward trend in the first quarter of the year. Of the export value, 23% came from paper, 27% from paperboard and 22% from pulp. Lumber and plywood accounted for 14% and 5% of export earnings respectively. 

The real value of wood product exports was EUR 0.60 billion in January-March, averaging EUR 0.20 billion per month. The real value of wood products exports decreased by 22% from the monthly average of January to March of the previous year. 

The pulp and paper industry exported an average of EUR 0.66 billion of its products in January-March, which was 18% less than in the corresponding period of the previous year. In March, exports fell to almost half of January's exports due to strikes.

The export value of magazine paper and fine paper fell by 12% and 14% respectively over the period, but both export volumes increased slightly. The export value and volume of paperboard fell by 15% and 6% respectively.