Metsätuote

Metsätuote is a Finnish term that translates to "forest product." It broadly refers to any raw material or manufactured item derived from forests. This encompasses a wide range of goods, both traditional and modern.

Historically, forest products were primarily timber, used for construction, fuel, and shipbuilding. Over time, the scope of metsätuote has expanded significantly. It now includes not only wood and wood-based materials like pulp and paper, but also non-wood forest products. These non-wood products can be biological in origin, such as berries, mushrooms, medicinal plants, game, and honey, or they can be derived from the forest environment, like peat.

The forest industry is a major sector in many countries with significant forest cover, particularly in Nordic nations like Finland. Metsätuote plays a crucial role in these economies, providing employment and export revenue. Sustainable forest management practices are increasingly important in the production of metsätuote, aiming to balance economic, social, and environmental considerations for long-term resource availability. The demand for metsätuote is influenced by various factors, including construction activity, the paper and packaging industry, and consumer interest in natural and sustainable products.