Kai Merivuori, Managing Director of the Finnish Sawmills Association: «Currently all are making red figures. Thus, production curtailments can be expected»

WhatWood talked to Kai Merivuori, Managing Director of the Finnish Sawmills Association, about the current state of the Finnish sawmilling industry, global sawn timber markets, and expected changes.

In 2018, sawn timber prices on the global markets, especially in China, were at a peak level, and now we see a long period of falling prices. What are your estimates – when the new cycle of growth will begin and when will the prices of sawn softwood begin to rise?

The Chinese demand of sawn softwood has been increasing steadily during the last 15 years. The main end-uses of wood have been construction, furniture industries as well as packaging. Also interior decoration and joinery segments have been increasing. The “new normal” growth of the Chinese economy is somewhat slower than earlier. Simultaneously the industries are steered towards domestic consumption and services instead of export markets and domestic investments.

Read the full interview in the latest issue: Russian Timber Journal