Finnish paper makers helped once Russia joins WTO

HELSINKI: Finnish paper mills will get a rare boost from lower costs once Russia enters the World Trade Organisation and cuts its export duties on raw wood, the Finnish business lobby said.

The Finnish paper industry, led by forest groups like Stora Enso, UPM-Kymmene and Metsaliitto had its problems exacerbated as Russia hiked its wood tariffs a few years ago, seeking to lure investment from foreign paper companies on to its soil.

But now Russia, whose entry to the WTO is expected to come into force in the first half of next year, is required to cut its tariffs on raw birch and aspen by 75 percent and on spruce and pine by a half -- enabling Finnish mills to cut wood costs.

"We have a strong need for raw material and this will be a remarkable addition for the wood use in the industry," said Timo Jaatinen, the head of Finnish Forest Industries Federation.

Russia, the eastern neighbour and earlier a key source of wood for Finnish paper makers, started to increase its wood export duties in 2006 from 2.5 euros per cubic meter, reaching 15 euros in 2008. Finnish imports slumped and the sector faced extra annual costs of tens of millions of euros.

The Finnish industry has since announced closures of ten paper and pulp mills and reduced overall production by nearly a fifth in 2007-2010.

However, the remaining plants are eyeing importing Russian birch, used to make office papers or other fine paper products.

"It is an excellent thing for the companies if it all goes as planned. I believe the imports from Russia would increase by some millions of cubic metres," said Katja Keitaanniemi, head of research at Swedbank Finland. She added Stora Enso could benefit the most.

The companies imported 12.3 million cubic metres of Russian wood in 2008. The imports halved the following year and stood at 7.3 million in 2010. The sector's total wood usage last year was 62 million cubic metres.

The business body and analysts said the Russian imports could climb back to earlier levels.

"The problem is that the companies have run down their harvest organisations in Russia, so it will take a while before they can start operating again," Jaatinen said.

Stora Enso spokeswoman said the company does not have plans yet on what to do after the possible duty cut, but added it is prepared to increase its Russian imports.

"But it is unlikely our imports would rise back to the highest levels we had (in 2005)," spokeswoman Paivi Kauhanen said.