While the prices of electricity and gas are pushed up by the energy crisis, many individuals are turning to wood heating. Problem: this craze is causing prices to skyrocket in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes.
As autumn and winter are fast approaching, and temperatures have begun to drop sharply, the inhabitants of the Côte d’Azur are more and more likely to be concerned about their heating this yesterday. And faced with the risk of a shortage of gas or electricity, and at skyrocketing prices, many are now turning to wood.
In this sawmill in Cannes, the splitters are running at full speed to make the logs. On his pallet truck, the boss works to replenish stocks as quickly as possible. Here, the demand for firewood is exploding.
Indeed, since the beginning of September, it is the race. We run everywhere. There is a bit of panic on the part of customers, faced with the risk of shortages that there could be!
Romain Gillery, sawmill manager.
A situation that obviously has consequences. Starting with a sharp rise in selling prices.
The price per stere (the equivalent of one cubic meter of wood) has soared by more than 20% in just one year. It went from 116 euros in 2021 to 143 euros on average this year.
But nothing to discourage customers, old or new, fans of the fireplace or wood stove. That morning, many of them still came to stock up on wood before the onset of winter.
Even with the price increase, we are still a winner, because the fireplace heats up much more than the electric heater. I think it’s a good compromise!
Fabrice, a customer who came to fill his wooden chest
The fear of seeing their electricity or gas bills explode has prompted some to change heating methods, or to buy more wood than usual.
2022 could therefore be an exceptional year for the sector. Provided that we can manage the demand, which continues to increase. There are several explanations for this.
“There is a small panic effect, because we are talking about both the risk of electricity and gas cuts. Well, wood is green, so it’s back in fashion“, smiles the boss of the Cannes sawmill.
The only problem: this very strong demand creates supply tensions. And this causes delay for the customers. To date, deliveries cannot be made before at least November.
Despite these delays, customers still flock. Suffice to say that the prices are not ready to fall.