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More than seven million households in France heat using wood, making it one of the country’s most widely used domestic energy sources. However the annual winter rush on limited stocks carries risks for buyers as scams abound.

Demand for wood has increased steadily in recent years as higher electricity, gas and propane costs have driven more households to search for cheaper alternatives. 

At the same time, fuel and transport costs in the forestry sector have risen. 

Storm damage, drought and changes in forest management have also affected timber availability. These combined pressures have pushed prices higher for the second year in succession.

Scammers have taken advantage of this rise in price - and they proliferate each year the annual winter rush on stocks. 

How much is a ²õ³Ùè°ù±ð of wood?

The price of wood is subject to many conditions: variety, length of the logs, dryness, whether it is delivered or not, fuel costs and local supply, all of which makes establishing an exact price extremely difficult. 

It is also affected by the weather as, in mild winters, demand is lower.

Overall the price of a ²õ³Ùè°ù±ð (1m3) of wood currently ranges from €70 to €120, depending on the species and level of drying. 

However, in urban zones or areas where supplies are tight, prices can exceed €140 to €150.

In recent years, the biggest price increase came between 2021 and 2022, when the price jumped by 25% nationally.

Increased risk of scams and misleading sales

The rise in demand inevitably creates opportunities for fraud. A DGCCRF investigation carried out in 2023 and early 2024 found irregularities in around 70% of businesses selling firewood or pellets online. These ranged from incomplete information to more serious deceptive practices.

Common issues included unclear pricing, failure to display delivery charges, incorrect claims regarding wood species, log length or moisture content, and missing information on consumer rights. Some sellers omitted the mandatory 14-day cooling-off period or did not provide a standard withdrawal form.

More serious cases involved fraudulent online advertisements offering wood at unusually low prices. 

These were often promoted via classified sites, social media groups or messaging apps. Buyers were asked to pay in advance. Deliveries were either lower quality than described or did not take place at all. 

In certain cases, websites impersonated reputable forestry firms. Some of these sites were subsequently blocked and legal complaints filed.

Consumers are advised to compare offers carefully, check supplier identification, ensure the price displayed includes delivery, and be cautious of unusually low prices. 

Problems can be reported through the government’s SignalConso platform. Unresolved disputes may be referred to the Médiateur national de l’énergie once initial written contact has been made with the seller.

How to find cheaper wood safely

Nonetheless, there are practical ways to control costs:

• Ask neighbours who do not have wood stoves if you can collect wood from their land

• Ask your mairie about affouage in your commune - where a landowner grants locals the right to collect firewood from their forests

• Group orders with neighbours or family to reduce delivery charges

• Use local sawmills or cooperatives, where supply chains are clear, trustworthy and stable

• Order early, ideally in spring or early summer, when prices are lower

• Store wood under cover in a ventilated space to maintain dryness and minimise loss

And remember that if an offer seems too good to be true then it probably is.