Södra report - strong pulp market

Södra's profit for the first quarter of 2011 was 378 million Swedish crowns(371 million the same period last year). Net sales rose to 4912 million (4575). The pulp market continued to develop steadily during the first quarter of 2011. The world price of bleached softwood kraft pulp, increased and was after the period, from April 1, 1010 dollars per tonne. A continued weakening of the dollar neutralized, however, the price increase in terms of dollars. The production of pulp at Södra's five pulp mills during the period was 522 000 tonnes, compared to 506 000 tonnes during the same period last year.

The market for sawn timber was marked by a relatively strong dollar and rising commodity prices, which reduced the competitiveness of sawmills. In Germany, the price of lumber has risen during the winter while price pressure continued in the rest of Europe, not least in Britain and Sweden. After a turbulent period in North Africa and the Middle East are now working normally supply the area with the exception of Libya.

Södra produced 391 000 cubic meters of sawn timber during the period, compared with 396 000 m3 of the same period last year.