Minister Hajder assures there will be enough firewood for all
The Republic of Moldova has sufficient firewood for the cold season, and prices have generally remained at the same level as in previous years. The Minister of the Environment, Gheorghe Hajder, said that approximately 45,000 steres of wood are available for sale, with another 120,000 scheduled to be harvested. The first new supplies should be available starting October 15.
On the Jurnal TV program "Cabinetul din umbră", the minister explained that existing reserves aren't simply being stockpiled; forestry agencies can purchase them. At the same time, he acknowledged that firewood availability is lower in certain areas.
"When I speak of having stocks—we have 60,000 steres, though the figure is slightly lower now; I understand there are about 45,000 steres in reserve—it means they are available for sale. It is true that I’ve heard there was less firewood in some areas, or that citizens were unable to find it," stated Gheorghe Hajder.
According to the official, over 490,000 steres of firewood have been sold since the beginning of the year, a figure to be viewed in the context of the population's annual purchase of over half a million steres.
"There is no need for concern, as there will be enough wood for everyone, given that we sell around 550,000–560,000 steres to citizens annually. Over 490,000 steres have already been sold this year," the minister said.
He added that the 120,000 steres scheduled for harvesting are based on authorizations issued by the Environmental Agency. Hajder estimates that, after meeting this winter's needs, reserves will remain for the coming year as well. Regarding prices, the minister said there have been no significant increases in recent years, though rates vary by forestry enterprise and wood type.
"In general, prices haven't risen compared to previous years; they’ve remained more or less the same, which is a good thing—especially given the current energy crisis, when prices across the board have gone up," Hajder said.
According to him, hardwood costs between 700 and 1,200 lei; however, these rates apply to wood at the forest site and do not include loading and transport costs. For home delivery, the price can reach, for instance, 1,600 lei.
"People often ask us: 'How is that possible? You said up to 1,200, but I went there and was told it’s 1,600.' That’s because people often want home delivery, and that includes loading and transport services," the minister explained.
Gheorghe Hajder noted that transport is frequently handled by intermediaries who buy the wood from forestry enterprises and add their own delivery costs. The minister also acknowledged that the current sales system needs improvement so that buyers can more easily identify available stock and current prices.
"It’s very difficult to figure out who to call or exactly where stock is available—or isn't—because this process needs to be digitized and made very clear for the public," the official stated. Hajder also said the forestry sector reform is expected to enable online checks of stock levels, price consultations, and remote payments. The authorities also plan to invest in machinery for loading and transporting timber to storage facilities.
