Consumers in Tiruchi feel the heat of rising firewood costs

Rising firewood prices in Tiruchi soar amid shortages and supply delays, impacting low-income households and local businesses.

Prices of firewood in Tiruchi have seen a steep rise over the past few days amid reports of shortage and delays in gas cylinder supplies caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

According to reports, a 25-kg bundle of wood that cost ₹150 to ₹200 in late February, now costs upwards of ₹300.

“We are going to sell our existing stock for ₹300 from today; when we get a new load in the coming days, the cost may increase depending on the demand,” a firewood trader in Viragupettai Street, Crawford, told The Hindu on Thursday (March 12, 2026).

As many low-income households use firewood stoves, dealers in some parts of Tiruchi have preferred to avoid over-inflation.

“I have tried to keep the same price because most of our customers cannot afford anything too costly. However, it looks like there will be a shortage of the tamarind tree lumber, which is normally sold as firewood, in the coming days. We may eventually have to increase the cost if the usual variety and stock of firewood is not available,” said a trader on East Boulevard Road.

Firewood is supplied from villages near Tiruchi, and is categorised according to its density and burn time.