Finlandʼs sawn goods industry is facing increasingly hard times according to the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), this means that another recession is close.
The competitiveness of Finnish sawmills has weakened continuously since the beginning of the year and market share has decreased. Source: UUTISET
Kai Merivuori CEP of the Finnish Sawmills Association, a body representing independent mills, the situation is causing concern.
“Our cost pressures have not decreased. Problems persist in wood procurement and now it seems the construction industry is slowing down,” said Merivuori.
He adds that expanding the business is nearly impossible in the absence of information about the availability of wood on the market and about its price, though there’s enough wood in Finnish forests.
The Sawmills Association also points out that wood and transportation costs in Finland are higher than in competitor nations such as Sweden and Germany.
”Finland is an island and we are further away from our markets. This is a clear edge for our competitors,” said Merivuori.
According to Merivuori, sawmills serve as a good indicator of economic trends and point to upcoming trends. Jussi Mustonen CEO of the Confederation of Finnish Industries shares his view.
”Prospects have systematically darkened. The most recent figures for Finland show that a recession is close at hand,” said Mustonen.
