Moldova targets illegal logging as winter firewood demand surges
Moldova has intensified timber supply chain inspections as rising firewood demand ahead of winter pushes retail prices up to €80 per pallet, prompting warnings against black-market logging.
Price disparities drive consumers to state forestry depots
In Chișinău, commercial vendors report sustained seasonal purchasing, with households securing multi-pallet reserves for home heating. Market rates for hardwood pallets reach €70 (approx. 1,400 MDL), whereas informal and online platforms charge up to €80 (approx. 1,600 MDL), with private sellers justifying markups through doorstep delivery, handling, and wood-splitting services.
Direct procurement through state forestry depots offers significantly lower tariffs, though regional variances persist across districts. Regulated softwood sells for €24 to €39 (approx. 475–786 MDL) per stère, while hardwood ranges between €47 and €63 (approx. 950–1,265 MDL) per stère. The lowest tariffs are registered in Răzeni and Nisporeni, while the highest rates are recorded in Comrat, located in Moldova's autonomous southern region, and Iargara.
Government cracks down on illicit logging
The Ministry of Environment urged consumers to verify origin certificates and insist on official tax invoices to avoid feeding illicit timber networks. Authorities confirmed that full-traceability audits will track timber from forest harvesting plots and transport routes to rural homesteads.
“Every cubic metre sold illicitly means a degraded forest and stolen public wealth,” said Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder. “Consumers must verify that prices match official listings and ensure they obtain a fiscal receipt to prevent enabling illegal logging.”
National strategic timber reserves currently stand at nearly 54,000 cubic metres, a volume authorities deem adequate to meet domestic heating demands throughout the winter season.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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