---
title: "Moldova targets illegal logging as winter firewood demand surges"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/84951/moldova-targets-illegal-logging-as-winter-firewood-demand-surges
published: 2026-09-12T17:18:30Z
language: en
author: "Cornelia Cornea"
section: "Economic"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# 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.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/719276d5-f6c7-442c-b1fb-cbb226ee0d10.jpg)

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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