Fierce competition for timber in Tornedalen

Pajala After the Swedish state forestry company Sveaskog decided to reduce its logging in Norrbotten by almost half, competition for the timber is getting tougher. Industries in northern Finland are also looking for timber in northern Sweden.

This is particularly true in Tornedalen, a region bordering Finland, where the Finnish forest industry also buys timber. In total, more than 20 timber buyers are competing for timber and pulpwood in Tornedalen, writes the local newspaper Haparandabladet.

Stora Enso in northern Finland is to increase to three timber buyers in order to buy even more timber on the Swedish side. Norra Skog, the forest owners' association, has a dozen inspectors and production specialists in northern Norrbotten.

SCA and Billerud already have four buyers each, Stenvalls Trä Seskarö has two and Sveaskog one.

The development is a threat to Jutos Timber, which operates two sawmills. In the past, it has bought a lot from Sveaskog. With fewer harvests and more buyers, competition for the timber is getting tougher.

"We have not had any timber buyers or forest contractors associated with us before. But with the new situation that has now arisen, we will definitely build our own organisation for wood purchases from forest owners," says Anette Juto, CEO of Jutos Timber, to Haparandabladet.

Jutos Timber operates two sawmills in northern Norrbotten, in Teurajärvi in Korpilombolo and in Tärendö, where it acquired Krekula & Lauri Såg in 2021.

Lennart Håkansson

editor@northswedenbusiness.com