Sveaskog’s 2Q 2018 net sales rose to SEK 1,918 million ($216 million), an increase of 13%. Sales of wood raw material amounted to 2.9 million cubic metres.

Operating profit from continuing operations increased by 12% and amounted to SEK 382 million ($43 million). The improvement in earnings is mainly an effect of higher prices. Difficult soil scarification and planting conditions led to a lower level of silvicultural activity. This had a negative effect on external sales of seeds and seedlings.

Profit for the 2Q 2018 increased by 108% and amounted to SEK 914 million ($103 million). New corporate tax rules resulted in lower deferred tax and therefore a lower tax expense which improved earnings by SEK 477 million ($53.7 million).

1H 2018 net sales, which comprise both deliveries from Sveaskog’s own forests and externally procured wood raw material, increased by 8% to SEK 3,567 million ($402 million). Sales of wood raw material amounted to 5.8 million cubic metres.

Operating profit from continuing operations increased by 7% and amounted to SEK 775 million ($87.3 million). Higher prices were offset to some extent by a 7% decrease in delivery volumes from own forests.

The main cause was the extremely snowy winter and record-dry early summer which had a negative impact on felling, soil scarification, planting and external sales of seedlings and seed. This has led to a delivery mix with a lower proportion of deliveries from own forests. On an annual basis, the delivery mix is expected to normalize.

Profit for the first six months of 2018 increased by 67% and amounted to SEK 1,301 million ($146 million).

Sveaskog is Sweden’s leading forest company and sells sawlogs, pulpwood, biofuel, forest seedlings and silvicultural services.