Swedish timber group Södra produced record results last year, with profits up almost 2000% on the previous year.
Profits rocketed to SKr2,449m from SKr124m as a result of larger volumes and rising pulp prices. Net sales stood at SKr11,189m (SKr7,743m).
Membership continued to grow: forest-owner members numbered 33,740 at the end of the year, up from 33,017 in 1999.
President and CEO Anders Wahrolen said: ‘The group is able to report its best profit results so far – almost SKr2.5bn – which is very satisfactory following a few weak years.’
Despite high demand for sawn timber, prices were said to have been squeezed by increased supply from other countries.
The company’s six sawmills manufactured 778,000m³, up from 657,000m³ last time.