Mr Swinney made the comments at a roundtable debate with stakeholders to discuss the Scottish government’s budget for 2013/14.
Confor chief executive Stuart Goodall said it was "great" that Mr Swinney had picked out the role forestry and timber could play.
"I briefed the cabinet secretary on the sector and suggested the Scottish government look to develop a forestry and timber strategy similar to its successful food and drink strategy," said Mr Goodall.
"In doing so, government needs to look beyond horizontal strategies for forestry and land-use, and develop a vertical strategy, linking forestry and timber to customers and markets."
Scottish government budget resources are expected to be reduced, with a proposed budget due to be laid before the Scottish Parliament by September 20.
