D3. Biological assets

AP ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

The Group’s standing timber is defined and recognized as biological assets at fair value in accordance with IAS 41 Agriculture and IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement. Forest assets are divided and recognized as biological assets and land assets in accordance with IAS 16 Property, plant and equipment. Forest land and forest roads are classified as land and land improvements. The fair value of the Group’s standing timber is calculated as the present value of anticipated future cash flows from the assets before tax and classified at Level 3 in accordance with IFRS 13. The calculation is based on existing, sustainable felling plans and assessments regarding growth, timber prices, felling costs and silviculture costs, including costs for statutory replanting. Environmental restrictions and other limitations are taken into account and the calculation is performed for a production cycle that SCA estimates at an average of 100 years. The discount rate is based on a normal forest company’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC).

The change in value is recognized in profit or loss in cost of goods sold.

KAA KEY ASSESSMENTS AND ASSUMPTIONS

Since a market price or other comparable value does not exist for assets of the scope owned by SCA, biological assets are measured at the present value of anticipated future cash flows. Key assessments and assumptions pertain to future wood prices, felling costs, felling volumes and discount rates. As of 2014, expected future felling volume and growth are based on the forest survey conducted between 2012 and 2013. A new forest survey is performed approximately every eight years. The estimation of future income and expenses is based on the trends of these items over the most recent ten-year period. TD3:1 describes the sensitivity of the carrying amount with respect to key assumptions.

Biological assets

SEKm

2015

2014

2013

Value, January 1

29,685

28,767

27,503

Purchases and forest swaps

33

375

775

Sales

–75

–72

–85

Other changes in fair value

1,549

1,646

1,733

Change due to felling

–1,073

–1,031

–1,159

BS Value, December 31

30,119

29,685

28,767

Deferred tax related to standing forest

6,626

6,531

6,329

The change in fair value and change due to felling are recognized as a net value in profit or loss under cost of goods sold, amounting to SEK 476m (615; 574). The unrealized change in value recognized during the year for assets held on the reporting date is estimated at SEK 1,549m.

For the valuation of standing timber, the same valuation model was used as in the past. For the 2015 valuation, no change was made to the WACC, which amounted to 6.25%. Assessed income and expenses are adjusted upward by an annual inflation rate of 2%. The 2015 valuation used an average wood price, before inflation adjustment, of SEK 467 per solid cubic meter under bark (m3sub). Annual harvesting is expected to rise over the calculated future production cycle and amount to 4.3 million m3sub for 2016, ending at 5.9 million m3sub by 2115.

On average, 89% of felling comprises final harvesting and 11% thinning. 56% is expected to comprise sawlogs and 44% pulpwood.

SCA’s forest holdings comprise approximately 2.6 million hectares of forest land primarily in northern Sweden, of which approximately 2.0 million is productive forest land. The timber volume of the forest portfolio amounts to 221 million cubic meters of forest (m3fo) and is divided into types of trees according to the diagram below. Average growth amounts to approximately 7.8 million m3fo per year. Felling in 2015 amounted to approximately 4.9 million m3sub.

 

2015

2014

2013

Value/hectare productive forest land, SEK

15,060

14,843

14,397

Value timber supplies SEK/m3fo

136

136

135

TD3:1 Sensitivity analysis

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

SEKm

Change in assumption

 

Change in value, before tax

 

Change in assumption

 

Change in value, before tax

WACC

+/–

0.25%

 

+/–

1,805

 

+/–

0.25%

 

+/–

1,770

Wood price

+/–

0.50% per year 2016–2025

 

+/–

2,309

 

+/–

0.50% per year 2015–2024

 

+/–

2,264

Felling costs

+/–

0.50% per year 2016–2025

 

+/–

494

 

+/–

0.50% per year 2015–2024

 

+/–

397

Volume (felling and thinning)

+/–

150,000 m3sub 2016–2025

 

+/–

463

 

+/–

150,000 m3sub 2015–2024

 

+/–

456

Forest area

Forest area (pie chart)Forest area (pie chart)

Timber volume

Timber volume (pie chart)Timber volume (pie chart)

Forest portfolio

Forest portfolio (pie chart)Forest portfolio (pie chart)