Cold Snap Drives Firewood Prices Up in Yanbu

YANBU, 27 December 2007 — With winter fully under way in the Kingdom, firewood is considered a valuable source of heating. Although modern means of heating are available, many people enjoy making wood fires at desert locations and guesthouses.

However, due to an extra cold winter this year, the price of firewood has seen a 50 percent increase.

“Youngsters are buying large quantities of wood right now for their desert camping,” said one vendor.

There are various kinds of firewood that people can buy in Saudi Arabia, including two types of wood called Ghada and Samar. However, the best kind of firewood and the most expensive is Al-Arti.

A truckload of quality firewood varies from SR800 for a small pickup load to SR10,000 for the biggest haul. The price of small bundles varies between SR100 and SR150.

A number of firewood vendors, selling from the back of pickup truck, said that the increase in price is normal. Firewood is generally sold in small bundles containing four to five pieces of wood and costs up to SR20 this year — a 100 percent increase over last year.

Abdullah Al-Mutairi, a firewood vendor, says that the prices are reasonable. “There is a high demand for wood, particularly from young people out camping and families living at guesthouses. Also farmers living in rural areas need wood for heating and cooking,” he said.

“I noticed a rise in the price of wood, but I think it is affordable for all. This time of the year is perfect to make a profit. Firewood is like any other commodity and is subject to supply and demand,” said Ibrahim Al-Ahmadi, another firewood seller.

Mohammed Hadi said, “I have been selling wood for years now. Wood is getting expensive day by day as it gets colder.”

Salim Al-Yamani, another firewood vendor, said he thought the prices would continue to increase due to the current weather, which is likely to grow colder in coming weeks.

Noting that the cold weather makes firewood an essential commodity, many people are calling on the authorities to regulate its sale and put an end to profiteering.