Finnish forest industry production was up nearly 8% compared to a year ago, according to newly-published figures.

The Finnish Forest Industries Federation said sawn wood production totalled nearly 2.9 million m3, down 1.5% from the same period in 2003, while plywood output rose by more than 5% to 300,000m3.

Total sawn wood production for January-September was 9.9 million m3, an increase of less than 1% on a year ago. About 1 million m3 of plywood was produced, a rise of 2.6%.

Paper accounted for the biggest growth in the Finnish forest industry.