In the peak of the heating season, dry firewood has virtually vanished from the Estonian market. Suppliers have sold out of stock, production has been slashed due to high electricity costs, and retail prices for dry wood have hit €75–€80 per cubic meter.

As of February, dry firewood is practically unavailable from small suppliers and private harvesters. Taavi Rada, owner of a sawmill in Hirvli, told the program "Aktuaalne Kaamera" that his enterprise did not prepare any dry firewood this season at all. "Currently, we only have wet wood; we have no more dry stock. In previous years, sales of dry firewood were so weak that we switched to selling wet wood instead," he stated.

A stable model has emerged among smaller suppliers: residents buy wet timber in advance and dry it themselves. This shift led to a decline in demand for ready-to-use dry wood in recent years, resulting in a reduction in its production.

Tarmo Kamm, a local harvester with over 30 years of experience and 7.5 hectares of forest, reported that firewood prices rise by €1–€2 per cubic meter annually. He keeps dry wood exclusively for personal use and for relatives. "So many people come... asking if I’m selling wood. When you tell them the price, they no longer want it. Dry firewood is expensive, after all," he said in the same ERR report.

Price Dynamics and Electricity Impact

According to data from online classifieds cited by Narva News, the retail cost of dry firewood in February reached €75–€80 per cubic meter. For comparison, the average price in 2021 was approximately €45–€50, representing an increase of about 60% over three years.

A key factor behind the deficit is the rising cost of electricity. Kamm noted that at current rates, there is no economic sense in splitting wood using electric equipment. "I can cut it with a petrol chainsaw, but for splitting, I need electricity," he remarked.

Impact on Biofuels

Wholesalers in the biofuel market report similar issues. They estimate that the production of briquettes and pellets has been reduced because the energy-intensive process is unprofitable at current electricity tariffs. This is corroborated by Narva News, which notes a decrease in supply and an increase in producer prices.

According to Narva News, the average price of wood pellets in Estonia rose from €180–€200 per ton in 2021 to €350–€400 in the 2024–2025 heating season—an increase of 75–100%. The portal attributes this trend to rising costs in electricity, logistics, and raw materials.

European Context

The broader European market shows similar trends:

• Germany: According to Destatis, prices for firewood and wood pellets rose by more than 85% in 2022–2023 compared to 2020 levels.

• Finland: Data from the energy agency Motiva shows the cost of split firewood increased from €50–€60 per cubic meter in 2020 to €90–€100 in 2024.

In Estonia, alongside rising prices, the structure of the market has changed. While ready-to-use dry wood made up a significant portion of the market before the energy crisis, this season is dominated by "wet" deliveries intended for consumers to dry themselves. Media outlets note that this has become a steady trend in recent years.