Sales for the first quarter of the year were EUR 357.1 million, 13 per cent up on the same period last year (316.4 million for the first quarter of 2006). In terms of volume, pulp sales were down 2 per cent at 645,300 tonnes. Operating profit was EUR 63.7 million, 32 per cent higher than for the first quarter of last year (48.1 million). The improved sales and financial result are attributable to the positive trend in pulp prices. The weakening of the dollar against the Euro and the rise in wood raw material prices were the main factors adversely affecting the financial result. Operating profit showed a growth of 5 per cent compared with the final quarter of 2006. First-quarter sales rose by 3 per cent, or 19,000 tonnes, on the previous quarter.