State Enterprise 'Forests of Ukraine' Plans to Increase Firewood Harvest by 27.6% for the 2026/27 Heating Season

The State Enterprise 'Forests of Ukraine' has revealed its intentions to substantially increase the volume of firewood harvested to meet the demands of the population and social services as part of its preparations for the 2026/2027 heating season. According to information published by the enterprise's press service on their official Facebook page, the volume of firewood harvested is set to rise by 400,000 cubic meters, which represents a 27.6% increase compared to the previous year.

Officials from 'Forests of Ukraine' noted that preparations for the upcoming heating season are already in full swing. It is important to highlight that the public still has the opportunity to purchase firewood at prices established last year. However, due to rising costs of fuel resources, the enterprise is facing challenges in maintaining the old prices for firewood, which may affect the availability of this resource for consumers.

Currently, the stock of firewood at the enterprise's warehouses stands at 245,000 cubic meters. During the last heating season, the average price for social firewood was 1,200 hryvnias including VAT, which is twice lower than the price of firewood used in industry. 'Forests of Ukraine' is urging consumers to place orders and make purchases of firewood in advance to avoid potential issues with the availability of this fuel resource in the future.

Additionally, the state enterprise indicated that the profit per cubic meter of 'social' firewood is currently only 34 hryvnias, reflecting a low profitability margin that fluctuates between 1-5%. At the same time, tax obligations account for nearly half of the cost of firewood. Since the beginning of 2026, 647 contracts have already been signed with social institutions and units of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for the supply of 175,000 cubic meters of timber.

The state enterprise also recommends that budget institutions adapt their tender requirements on the Prozorro platform according to current technical conditions. This will allow state branches to participate in procurements and ensure communities receive only legally sourced products, which is a crucial aspect for maintaining stability in firewood supplies.

It is worth noting that during the 2025/2026 heating period, the demand for firewood in Ukraine increased by nearly one and a half times compared to the previous season, reaching a volume of 1.45 million cubic meters. To prevent a shortage of fuel wood, 'Forests of Ukraine' limited the sale of firewood in the autumn of 2025, directing all resources exclusively to the needs of households and social facilities. Throughout the winter, reserves of fuel were consistently maintained in the warehouses of forestry units, which helped avoid queues even during peak demand periods.