With gas and electricity prices rising rapidly, many households in Europe are using firewood as an alternative or back-up heat source this winter. Currently, a shortage of timber and firewood is being observed in various European countries, leading to high prices. In countries such as Germany and Belgium, firewood prices have risen by approximately 2.5 times. An EU ban on the import of Russian wood pellets for energy production came into force from July 2022, creating a domino effect throughout the supply chain.
Firewood prices across Europe are currently high. In Bulgaria, where about half of households use firewood in winter, the price per cubic metre of firewood has increased from 40-50 euros in 2021 to about 100-150 euros at present. Hungarian local media reported that, due to a shortage of firewood, prices have risen by more than 50%, with further increases expected. In Poland, too, the price of firewood has almost doubled compared to the situation a year ago. In Slovakia, firewood prices have on average doubled compared to last year. A similar situation is observed in Albania, Kosovo and Serbia, which are not EU member states.
German television reported on 5 September that there is a serious shortage of timber in Germany. According to statistics from the German Furniture Industry Association, in 2021 Germany exported 146,000 cubic metres of oak, of which 40% was sold to China; in total, 560,000 cubic metres of beech, of which 255,000 were exported abroad, with exports to China accounting for nearly 46% of the total.
The biggest problem facing the industry was a lack of timber supplies. As a result, the industry as a whole has reduced production in recent months. Sawmills are experiencing unprecedented problems in obtaining hardwood from the forest for local processing.
Timber prices have risen sharply this year, doubling or tripling depending on the type of wood, Immo Hauss, head of a German chopped firewood company that sells wood in almost 270 cities, told South-West Radio and Television.
In Europe, almost all hardwood species are now being used for firewood, such as oak, chestnut, maple, birch, etc. However, there is still not enough, and currently there is high demand for firewood from coniferous species such as spruce. At the same time, wood is used not only as a heat source but also for other industrial sectors. Sawdust is used for electricity generation, and the paper industry uses beech wood. The general shortage in supply is significantly driving up timber prices. Hauss believes that given the difficult conditions currently facing the timber market, preparations must be made for the next two harsh winters.
German TV 1 reported that the EU does not currently restrict timber exports. A representative of the German Timber Industry Association said that in the field of wood products and processed goods, the European Union traditionally pursues an open-market concept.
The European Union is effectively the only region in the world that does not have significant export restrictions on raw materials. However, this could change in light of the shortage of sawn timber. On 18 August, the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture issued an order banning the export of wood to non-EU countries until 17 November this year, in order to resolve the shortage for ordinary citizens and the woodworking industry. The Bulgarian demand for timber has tripled due to high fuel prices.
The Hungarian government has also begun to restrict firewood exports. Although it is not fully banned, this gives the government the authority to control exports and potentially stop sales abroad completely. In Slovakia, panic over supplies triggered calls to ban exports, but the Ministry of Agriculture ruled this out.