The company, which is part of the Metsäliitto Group, said the target of the negotiations is to prepare production temporarily for lower demand.
It a statement it said: "This is thus an anticipated measure if no significant improvement in the demand situation experienced in late 2008 emerges."
In December, M-real warned its 2008 full-year operating result excluding no-recurring items would be "clearly weaker" than in 2007.
Its results warning is on the back of its larger-than-expected second-quarter operating loss of €21m (£16.5m), announced by the company in 2008.
Throughout this year, European papermakers have faced rising production costs and a decrease in the sales volumes of fine paper, causing many to cut jobs and capacity, and to raise their prices.
1,500 jobs under threat as M-real plans cut in production
Paper manufacturer M-real has said it is starting statutory negotiations concerning mill operations in Finland, which could put up to 1,500 jobs at risk.
