Ukraine's Firewood Prices Soar: Private Sellers Charge Up to 4,500 UAH per Cubic Meter

Ukraine's firewood prices have skyrocketed in recent months, leaving many struggling to afford heating for their homes. According to reports from private sellers, a cubic meter of oak firewood that cost between 1,500-2,500 UAH last year is now selling for 3,700-4,500 UAH in the Kyiv region.

The price increase is not uniform across all regions, with prices varying greatly depending on the type of wood, moisture content, harvesting and processing methods, order volume, whether the firewood is sold in bulk or stacked, and delivery costs. In some cases, the final cost may be higher due to additional expenses for delivery, loading, and preparing the wood for the heating season.

State-owned forestry enterprises have seen a much smaller price increase, with hardwood firewood prices rising from approximately 1,140 UAH per cubic meter in 2025 to about 1,200 UAH in 2026, an increase of only about 5%. However, government-supplied firewood must often be picked up by the buyer, adding transportation and loading costs.

Against the backdrop of rising wood prices, the question arises as to whether this form of heating remains economical compared to natural gas. For a rough comparison, one can use the calorific value: one cubic meter of oak firewood, at the appropriate moisture content, can replace approximately 334 cubic meters of natural gas.