Year 2025 was a strong one for Metsähallitus overall. The Group’s turnover was EUR 530.7 million and its profit reached EUR 208.1 million, which is the best result in history. The value of societal benefits generated by Metsähallitus’ business was EUR 127 million. Parks & Wildlife Finland and Wildlife Service Finland also exceeded their targeted results.
Rather than maximising financial profits, Metsähallitus’ mission is to produce the greatest possible overall benefits for society.
“We account for biodiversity, recreational use, reindeer husbandry and the preconditions for Sámi culture in our business by excluding sites from our operations, either partly or fully. The value of these societal benefits was EUR 127 million, which is more than ever before,” says Juha S. Niemelä, Director General of Metsähallitus.
The growth of forests in state-owned multiple-use forests amounts to approx. 12.6 million cubic metres a year, of which about one half is exploited. The volume of harvested wood (6.7 million m3) increased slightly in 2025 compared to the year before, and the high price of timber boosted the profits of Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd.
Climate targets and green growth
State-owned forests were still a significant carbon sink, and the carbon storage in trees has grown by 8.6% since the reference year 2018. Metsähallitus aims for a 10% increase in the carbon sink of multiple-use forests by 2035. Forest growth and carbon sequestration are promoted by means of active and sound forest management measures, and the carbon sink target is taken into consideration as a factor that limits harvesting.
In addition to increasing carbon sinks, the Climate Programme updated in 2025 includes a broad range of other goals and measures that promote the achievement Metsähallitus’ climate targets, and consequently those of Finland as a nation.
Metsähallitus promotes green growth not only through forestry and timber production but also by developing renewable energy projects. While the demand for wind power projects was moderate, project development continues in land and offshore areas. Property sales picked up somewhat and more enquires about plots were made by energy-intensive industry.
Investments in digital customer service and hiking structures
Metsähallitus not only conducts business but also has tasks relating to nature reserve management, hiking services and wilderness matters, which are performed by Parks & Wildlife Finland and Wildlife Service Finland. These tasks are financed from the State budget and with permit revenues, as business income cannot be used to fund them.
In 2025, Metsähallitus’ hiking destinations attracted more than 7.6 million visits. Digital customer service for hikers was developed, and special attention was paid to maintaining hiking structures, especially at popular destinations.
The accrual of fisheries management fees collected by Wildlife Service Finland reached over EUR 10 million. While permit quotas were reduced due to a decline in grouse populations, permit utilisation rate increased from the previous year.
Action for biodiversity
Biodiversity is one of the key themes of Metsähallitus’ strategy. Metsähallitus’ restoration and nature management measures were targeted at both protected areas and multiple-use forests across 10,430 hectares in total. In addition to mire restoration, Metsähallitus invested in stream restoration and removal of barriers to fish migration.
Metsähallitus also supports the fulfilment of international biodiversity commitments.
“We made proposals for biodiversity-supporting OECM sites on state-owned lands amounting to 1.3 million hectares, and for 49,000 hectares of new marine protected areas. Inventories of primary and old-growth forests on state-owned land will continue in 2026, and we will also prepare our own biodiversity programme,” Niemelä says.
In 2025, Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland conducted a significantly higher number of species and habitat inventories and other surveys than before. The data these surveys and inventories produced will be used for targeting conservation measures and in land use planning, Natura site status assessments and reporting under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. The surveys provided plenty of new information on endangered species and habitats and also produced significant new observations of species.
“2026 is expected to be a more challenging year than 2025 due to both the market situation and the central government’s need to find savings. Metsähallitus is also expected to produce more revenue for the State budget. This can be achieved by utilizing the potential of renewable energy and sustainable harvesting possibilities, which have been defined in regional natural resource plans together with stakeholders,” Niemelä says.
Further information:
- Juha S. Niemelä, Director General, juha.niemela(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 50 5003681
- Henrik Jansson, Executive Director, Parks & Wildlife Finland, tel: henrik.jansson(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 400 328 759
- Karoliina Niemi, Managing Director of Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd, karoliina.niemi(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 50 5679093
- Otto Swanljung, Director, Real Estate Development, otto.swanljung(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 40 5601715
- Vesa Ruusila, Director of Game and Fisheries, email: vesa.ruusila(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 40 8406877