MADINAH, 30 November 2004 — The price of wood used for fuel and heating has risen sharply in the Madinah area. The imminent onset of winter has increased seasonal demand for fuel for home heating — especially from residents of outlying farms — and for camping trips in the surrounding countryside.
“People tend to buy wood as cold weather approaches or after it rains,” said Owaitiq Ateq Al-Tarjami, a wood trader in the wood market by Uhud Mountain. “Two weeks ago, our season started and the demand for wood increased in the wood market.”
His main customers are people that live in areas around Madinah or in the remoter countryside and who are not connected to electrical power. Their main source of heat is from wood burning.
“This is the season to sell wood; the prices during this time double,” said Saleh Al-Muzaini, another trader. He sold wood to restaurants making traditional food and to banquet halls.
The demand for firewood declines during summer but he still made a living. “It is during this time that our profits double and the market is crowded.”
“There are many types of firewood and the prices depending on quality and type,” Al-Muzaini added. Al-Kard wood fetches the highest price — a pick-up truckload is SR600. Al-Samar wood fetches SR300 per pick-up load. At the bottom end of the market Al-Tandab is SR150 and Al-Salam SR180 per pick-up load.
Al-Tarjami said that the woodcutters were not destroying healthy trees. “We go to areas outside Madinah and nearby villages and cut down dead trees. We do not cut down good trees or green ones, only dead ones.”
