The challenge before winter with the increase in the price of wood/ Pensioners: We can't afford it, the state should intervene

2025-11-06 13:32:00, Sociale CNA

The challenge before winter with the increase in the price of wood/ Pensioners:

As temperatures begin to drop, many retirees in the country's cities are facing another challenge of approaching winter: the inability to secure firewood. Prices have risen sharply, making heating a heavy burden for those living solely on their pensions.

In the wood markets, a cubic meter costs up to 60 to 65 thousand old lek, a price that is unaffordable for most elderly people. Many of them say that last year they paid less than half of this amount, while now they are forced to give up heating or use alternative methods such as blankets or air conditioners, which consume less energy, but heat only one room.

"I am the fifth in the family and a year ago when I bought wood, it cost me up to 600 thousand old lek. With 130 thousand lek, would I get a pension? I can't buy medicine to treat myself. For me, 5 thousand old lek is a lot, because that's how much pension I get," says a resident.

"I haven't bought wood this year because I can't afford it. Now I'll buy 2-3 blankets to cover myself. If Rama increases our pensions, I'll buy wood. If he doesn't give us any, I'll just live with blankets. 65 thousand old lek goes for a meter of wood. The government should put controls in place, not let them rest on their laurels because the people are a disgrace," says one of the residents.

The challenge before winter with the increase in the price of wood/ Pensioners:

There are also pensioners who manage to secure firewood thanks to the help of children living abroad, while others say they would like the firewood market to be more controlled by the state, so that prices are not abused by private traders.

"There is no government to control the wood. What is this?! A cubic meter of 25 thousand old lek! I got it for this year, but I didn't get much. I lost 250 thousand old lek. My daughter sends me lek from America, that's why I got it," says one of the residents.

"It may be affordable for me, who has a good pension, but others cannot afford it. They are forced to buy an air conditioner and turn it on just to heat a room. I have been installing a boiler for 2-3 years, and it is better than working with gas. The government should do this so that the wood that is sold is controlled. To buy a meter of wood, it costs 60 thousand old lek. They can't figure out that wood is expensive," says another resident.

The challenge before winter with the increase in the price of wood/ Pensioners:

In cold areas like Korça, wood remains the main source of heating, not only to keep the house warm, but also for cooking. However, with incomes that do not even cover basic needs, many families are waiting for government intervention, whether through increased pensions or subsidies for heating during the winter months.

"I heat with wood because it not only heats you, but also cooks. Winter in Korça is unbearable without wood, even though it hasn't been a harsh winter. I, who also have a small child, have to get 6-7 meters of wood. I think that wood should be managed by the state and not by the private sector," said the resident of the area.

In retirement homes, winter calculations are no longer made in meters of wood, but in cold days that must be spent with savings. For them, any help, no matter how small, can make the difference between a cold winter and a more bearable one. /CNA