The financial and operational targets of Metsähallitus were achieved in 2023. Metsähallitus turned a profit of EUR 142 million and increased its inputs in societal benefits, including fostering biodiversity and promoting recreational use of nature and reindeer husbandry, to EUR 110 million. Through its work, Metsähallitus promotes the achievement of Finland’s climate objectives and produces many types of wellbeing. Metsähallitus’ indirect impacts on regional economies total over EUR 3.7 billion.
Metsähallitus’ turnover was EUR 435 million in 2023 (EUR 423 million in 2022), while the company’s result was EUR 142 million (150.9 million). Year 2023 was profitable especially for Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd., and the high demand for and lucrative price of timber are reflected in Metsähallitus’ result. The uncertain economic situation impacted Metsähallitus Property Development’s site sales, in particular, but did not affect the extractive business.
Metsähallitus business units’ investments in securing biodiversity and other societal benefits grew to EUR 110 million, which is EUR 30 million more than in 2022. Metsähallitus transferred EUR 120 million of its profits from 2022 as revenue to the State in 2023.
– We account for biodiversity, recreational use, reindeer husbandry and the preconditions for Sámi culture in our business activities by excluding sites from our operations, either partly or fully. Our investments in these societal benefits, most of which are associated with fostering biodiversity, amounted to EUR 110 million, says Juha S. Niemelä, Director General of Metsähallitus.
Investments in nature management and species expertise
The growth of trees in state-owned multiple-use forests amounts to approx. 13 million cubic metres a year. In 2023, 6.29 million cubic metres of timber were harvested in the forests, of which volume intermediate felling accounted for 72%. The harvesting volumes in multiple-use forests are based on a sustainable planned cut of 6.8 million cubic metres. The planned cut is determined in regional natural resource plans together with stakeholders.
We increased our investments in nature management that safeguards forest biodiversity, and the targets set for us were mainly exceeded. Species surveys in multiple-use forests were expanded, and the personnel’s species expertise was improved through training. Forest carbon sinks were increased, especially by means of additional long-acting ash fertilisation. The carbon sink on state-owned lands has increased by 2.7% and the carbon storage by 7.4% compared to the previous National Forest Inventory carried out in 2018.
Wind power project development helps achieve Finland’s climate objectives
Metsähallitus promotes the achievement of Finland’s carbon neutrality target by facilitating renewable energy production in state-owned land and sea areas. In 2023, project development relating to onshore wind farms continued, and competitive tendering processes were launched for two new offshore wind power projects, in which implementers will be selected for farms located off Närpiö, Pyhäjoki and Raahe. Wind power project development always involves an extensive assessment of impacts on nature and the environment. There were 173 wind power stations on state-owned land at the end of 2023. The volume of energy produced by them was 1,727 GWh, which accounts for approx. 12% of wind power generated in Finland.
Actions for fostering biodiversity
Safeguarding biodiversity is a key objective in everything Metsähallitus does. Active measures aiming to promote biodiversity are also taken on state-owned lands. Last year, restoration and nature management measures were carried out over 13,900 hectares of multiple-use forests and protected areas in total. Metsähallitus also restored streams, fish habitats and catchments and removed 170 barriers to fish migration, enabling access to over 400 kilometres of upstream waters.
Long-term conservation of species is producing results: the critically endangered Arctic fox has bred in Finland for two consecutive years, and the Saimaa ringed seal population has doubled over 20 years.
Outdoor activities, fishing and hunting remain popular
Outdoor activities, fishing and hunting continued to be highly popular. Interest in Finland’s national parks has grown throughout the 2000s. National parks and other Metsähallitus destinations were visited around 7 million times in total, and 0.6 million days were spent fishing and hunting.
Expectations placed on state-owned areas are reconciled in regional natural resource plans, which are drawn up together with stakeholders. Two such plans were completed in 2023: one for Central and Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, and another for the marine area. The plans outline Metsähallitus’ activities in these areas for the next five-year period.
Metsähallitus’ operations have significant impacts on regional economies. In 2023, the indirect impacts of Metsähallitus’ operations on regional economies totalled approx. EUR 3.7 billion.
Further information:
Juha S. Niemelä, Director General, email: juha.niemela@metsa.fi, puh. +358 50 5003681 (available between 12:30 and 14:00 and after 15:30 on 12 March)
Henrik Jansson, Executive Director, Parks & Wildlife Finland, email: henrik.jansson(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 400 328 759
Jussi Kumpula, Managing Director, Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd, email: jussi.kumpula(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 400 388614
Tuomas Hallenberg, Senior Vice President, Metsähallitus Property Development, email: tuomas.hallenberg(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 40 528 6069
Jukka Bisi, Director, Game and Fisheries, email: jukka.bisi(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 40 537 0993
Read Metsähallitus’ Annual and Responsibility Report (in Finnish, julkaisut. metsa.fi)