Electricity prices remain at a sky-high level. And there are probably many people who choose to burn more wood, in order to use less electricity for heating.
The industry organization Norsk Ved has previously stated that they see a large increase in firewood consumption.
They also see that people secure larger volumes earlier in the year than before.
The head of Norsk Ved puts the increased wood consumption in the context of the fact that electricity prices have been unpredictable.
See the increase at Rema
TV 2 has checked the prices for birch wood at Rema 1000 and compared the findings with a supplier that only offers wood products.
Birch wood in 40-litre sacks is being compared.
The prices at Rema 1000 are based on the Facebook posts of various Rema stores around the country.
On 13 February 2021, Rema 1000 advertised at Lambertseter center for a sack of birch wood. Price tag: NOK 79.
PRICE: In February 2021, the price was significantly lower than today. Photo: Screenshot/Facebook
Almost a year later – on 27 January this year – Rema 1000 Herøya advertised for a sack of birch wood at the price of NOK 89.
ADVERTISEMENT: In January, the price had increased by NOK 10. Photo: Screenshot/ Facebook
On 16 December, the price of birch wood at Rema 1000 is NOK 149. The wood sacks still contain 40 litres.
The difference since February 2021 is therefore NOK 70.
– Due to two years of pandemic and now war in Europe, there has been an international increase in raw material prices and increased costs both on energy, transport and wages. It has also gone beyond the price of firewood, says head of communications in Rema 1000, Hege Rognlien, to TV 2.
TV 2 has also contacted Norgesgruppen to see if they have had similar price developments in their stores.
Communications manager Kine Søyland says they do not have a complete price overview.
– Firewood is purchased locally, and there are many providers of firewood throughout Norway, ranging from local firewood centers to farmers who sell firewood. We therefore also have no overview of the price development of firewood, she says.
Slightly smaller increase
Norsk Vedsentral – which is a private supplier, and not part of any major chain – delivers birch wood to the door in several cities in southern Norway.
They also offer birch wood in 40 liter bags.
On 18 October 2021, such a bag cost NOK 68. It shows a receipt TV 2 has seen.
In October 2022, the price had risen to NOK 96, another receipt shows.
And now the supplier advertises imported birch wood on its website – at the price of NOK 129.
The price difference since October last year is therefore NOK 61.
POPULAR: More and more people are burning with wood because of expensive electricity – but the price of wood is also rising. Photo: Terje Bendiksby/NTB
Empty for Norwegian firewood
Vedsentralen has found itself forced to import because there has simply been too little Norwegian wood. That’s what Sveinung Skjesol says at the Norwegian Vedsentral.
– The reason is as expected, the market is now almost empty of Norwegian firewood and this results in increased costs in the form of high prices for imports and difficulties in finding good suppliers with stable, good enough quality abroad.
He says that the prices for wood imports are high for one reason in particular.
– Import prices are high due to a stop in access to cheap wood from Russia and Belarus – as a result of sanctions – where Baltic wood producers most often source wood for wood production, says Skjesol.
Consumer Council with call
Subject director Olav Kasland at the Consumer Council has a clear opinion about the price trouser.
– This is market-driven, he says.
Kasland explains that there is a shortage of firewood – as a result of demand having gone to waste.
ADVICE: Olav Kasland in the Consumer Council gives advice to wood consumers. Photo: Martin Berg Isaksen / TV 2
– Prices have exploded. Producing firewood costs much more than before. I do not know whether the advance at Rema 1000 has increased, but it may well happen. When there is a scarcity of a product, margins often increase. This is an example of expensive time. This is a completely ordinary market adjustment.
– How is the price development compared to other product types?
– It depends on what you compare it to. If you compare it with another energy source, such as electricity, the price of electricity has increased much more than this.
He says it is difficult to predict further price developments.
– I don’t know if this is priced right or wrong. But as we always say, now consumers must be good at comparing prices. There is a lot to be gained by being a little aware, he says.
