Forest industries' wood consumption 2019

In 2019, the forest industries’ roundwood consumption totalled 71.1 million cubic metres, down by 3 per cent from the previous year. The consumption was at its highest in 2006, when it amounted to 75.5 million cubic metres.

Consumption of domestic roundwood decreased by 5 per cent from the previous year’s peak to 61.3 million cubic metres. This decrease covered all assortments. Instead, the consumption of imported roundwood continued to increase. In 2019, the forest industries processed 7 per cent more of imported roundwood than in the previous year, totalling 9.8 million cubic metres.

The most important roundwood assortments used were pine pulpwood (17.9 million cubic metres), hardwood pulpwood (14.0 million cubic metres) and spruce logs (13.9 million cubic metres). Considering the total consumption of roundwood, only the consumption of hardwood pulpwood and imported chips increased as a result of higher imports. The total consumption of logs was 26.2 million cubic metres (–5% from the previous year) and that of pulpwood 42.4 million cubic metres (–3%).

The consumption of roundwood decreased in all branches, apart from the semi-chemical pulp industry. Nearly half of all roundwood, 35.1 million cubic metres (–1%), was processed by the chemical pulp industry. Roundwood consumption in the sawmilling industry decreased by 6 per cent to 25.5 million cubic metres from the previous year.

One fifth of roundwood, or 14.2 million cubic metres, was consumed in the region of South Karelia. It was followed by the regions of Kymenlaakso and Central Finland, 7.7 million cubic metres each.

The consumption of forest industry by-products and wood residues in the production of forest industry products was nearly at the previous year’s level, totalling 9.6 million cubic metres. Of this, the chemical pulp industry accounted for nearly three quarters.