Residential firewood needs are continuously served

Forest farms are constantly serving the needs and increasing the production capacity – said Minister of Agriculture István Nagy.

(Photo: Pixabay)

The minister drew attention to the fact that those who request wood now under the Firewood Program will be guaranteed to receive it at the official price. Experience shows that the majority of applicants already have a stove for this winter and are already buying for the next year or the year after. There are forestry farms where this ratio exceeds 70 percent. István Nagy asks for the population’s patience so that, in accordance with the purpose of the provision, those who need wood at the beginning of the heating season can be served first. The most needy are prioritized, he added. He explained that by the beginning of October, the state forestry farms had sold almost 1.6 million m3 of wood for energy purposes. In addition to serving the population, this also includes sales to the energy sector. Forest farms also provide power plants with firewood for district heating.

The head of the ministry emphasized that there is huge interest in the program that started at the end of September

For this reason, several forest farms have a demand that exceeds the local production capacity, which is solved by regrouping and increasing production capacity. And the first shipments will arrive this week. He emphasized that currently 800 brigades, more than 3,000 wood harvesters and almost 1,000 forestry machines are working to meet the demands as soon as possible. The daily production varies due to the conditions of the country, but it can reach 1000 m3 per forest farm. István Nagy also mentioned that in addition to the government-priced firewood program launched due to the sanctioned energy crisis, the government will also provide free firewood to the needy living in small settlements this year. The government is spending HUF 5 billion this year on the social fuel program launched in 2011. 2,374 municipal governments submitted valid requests for support to the tender, which means that approximately 180,000-190,000 families are expected to receive help with their winter heating. One third of the local authorities’ needs have already been met. In addition, the forest farms continue to provide the opportunity to collect wood, which can help families in need, the minister reminded.

AM