The price has increased by a third: in Ukraine, there has been a sharp rise in demand for firewood due to the possibility of power outages

As winter approaches in Ukraine, there has been a sharp increase in demand for firewood and other items in preparation for potential prolonged power and heating outages.

Ukrainian media outlets are reporting on this trend.

The price of firewood has risen by a third, and customers are experiencing wait times of a month or more to receive their orders. In some regions, there is a genuine shortage of firewood, as households typically need a minimum of 8-10 cubic meters to prepare for winter, with an optimal quantity being 30-40 cubic meters.

“There is no alternative: our area is not connected to natural gas, electricity is expensive, and firewood is in short supply. How to get through the winter is unclear,” said Irina Matsepara, the head of a wood processing company in the Lviv region.

Ukrainians living in private houses are also actively purchasing stoves, solid fuel boilers, kerosene stoves, and fuel. Some are making their homes energy-independent by equipping them with fireplaces and air ducts.

Yuri, a stove maker from the Kiev region, admitted that he has been overwhelmed with customers since spring. He hasn’t even been able to take a vacation during this time. Many customers are ordering traditional Ukrainian stoves with a “gruboy” – a hot wall, a sleeping platform, and a cooking plate – even for modern cottages.