Swedish forest-owner association Mellanskog swung to an operating profit of SEK 7 million in the third quarter of 2026 from a loss of SEK 5 million a year earlier. High timber volumes and lower own operating expenses contributed positively, while work after storm Johannes caused significant additional costs, the company said.
Timber volumes rose sharply from the corresponding period of 2025. Activity was particularly high in Dalarna, Gästrikland and Hälsingland as the association handled storm-felled timber. The quality of timber with root contact was better than feared, so the newly established assortment for blue-stained timber saw limited use.
Mellanskog secured outlets for the extraordinary storm volume through logistics arrangements and close cooperation with Setra Group. The work is proceeding according to plan, and the mobilization will continue through the end of the year. Storm management caused significant additional costs for transport, terminal handling and logistics.
Own operating expenses were SEK 6 million lower than in the third quarter of 2025. Members' ratings of the association's forestry services also improved in follow-up assessments.
The political situation continues to create uncertainty about the future. Mellanskog expects the incoming Swedish government to prioritize compensation rights related to species-protection prohibitions.
“The new government, when it takes office, has extensive work ahead to complete the forest-policy reforms we have awaited for a very long time. We expect positive decisions on compensation rights related to species-protection prohibitions to rank highest on the forest-policy agenda,” said Fredrik Munter, chief executive of Mellanskog, in a statement.
Including subsidiaries, the Mellanskog group posted an operating profit of SEK 21 million on revenue of SEK 2.29 billion. That figure leaves out the result of a one-off deal: Setra Group, the sawmill company Mellanskog co-owns with Sveaskog, sold its Malå sawmill to HS Timber Group in July. Mellanskog did not say how much the sale added to or cut from the result.