Finnish sawn timber comes from slow-growing northern forests, which makes it dense, durable and of high quality. High-quality Finnish sawn timber is therefore an excellent choice for construction material due to its versatile further processing possibilities. It is ideal for both new construction and renovation construction end-uses. The dense northern wood raw material enables the manufacture of homogeneous and visually appealing products.
Thanks to good forest management, the amount of wood in Finnish forests grows every year. The future vitality of forests is ensured by safeguarding the biodiversity of forest nature. Therefore, Finnish sawn timber is also a sustainable and resource-wise choice.
Demand is driven by economic conditions
The demand for sawn timber in domestic and export markets is significantly affected by construction volumes and the general economic cycle. When construction and renovation are active during economic upturns, the demand for sawn timber grows rapidly.
The use of wood in construction solutions has strengthened globally. This is influenced not only by construction and interior design trends, but above all by environmental reasons. Wood is an ecological choice, as in many end uses, carbon binds to wood even for decades.
The export market for sawn timber in the world
Metsä Fibre's main market for sawn timber is not only Finland, but also the rest of Europe. In Europe, Finnish high-quality sawn timber is used a lot in wood exterior linings as well as in interior materials due to its technical characteristics and uniform appearance. The light colored trends in interior design favour Finnish sawn timber that is easily planed and surface-treated.
North Africa is a traditional and significant export region for pine sawn timber. In the North African market, large and rapid fluctuations in demand are typical. In the long term, demand for sawn timber in North Africa is expected to grow as a result of population growth and increased construction.
In addition to traditional end users, the role of the component industry as an end user of Metsä Fibre's sawn timber products has grown strongly. Thanks to modern technology solutions, Metsä Fibre is able to respond to even the most demanding customer needs in a tailor-made and cost-effective manner.
In recent years, demand for spruce sawn timber has grown strongly in Asia and especially in China, whose importance as an export country has grown rapidly. Major trends in China's development, such as urbanization and middle-classization, have increased the demand for sawn timber.
High-quality Finnish spruce sawn timber is used in the manufacture of furniture in China. In addition to the growing demand for wood, quality has also become more pronounced in recent years as China's growing middle class has become more aware of the responsibility and safety of products.
Sawn timber is an important export product for Finland. In 2024, according to Customs statistics, Finnish sawn timber was exported to the world in the amount of EUR 2 billion.
Sources: Natural Resources Institute Finland, Finnish Forest Industries Federation