Wood pellets are becoming an increasingly popular choice for many Serbian families as a winter fuel, thanks to their high combustion efficiency and ease of storage and transport, though growing demand has pushed up prices.
Local resident Vladimir lives on the outskirts of Serbia's capital, Belgrade. For the past 15 years, he has relied on firewood for heating. This year, he decided to switch to wood pellets.
"With firewood, you basically have to add more once every two hours. I think using wood pellets are much more convenient. They are cleaner, and easier to move. You don't need to spend much time tending the stove, and cleaning is easy too. There's almost no smell, no smoke, no ash. It's really much less hassle. During the day, you basically don't need to worry about anything. One refill can last a whole day," said Vladimir.
According to Branko Glavonjic, a professor with the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Belgrade, about 49 percent of Serbian households use wood-based fuels, mostly firewood. Currently, about 1.05 million households rely on firewood for heating.
He also noted that the number of households using wood pellets has been rising steadily in recent years and is expected to exceed 200,000 this year.
"Compared with traditional fuels like firewood, wood pellets are more comfortable to use. From an economic point of view, when pellets are burned in efficient equipment, about 90 percent of the energy they contain can be converted into useful heat. Compared with traditional fuels, energy loss is very small," said Glavonjic.
As more and more households switch to wood pellets, market demand has continued to rise. This year, pellet prices have risen 50 percent compared with last year, and some sales points are facing supply shortages.
So far this year, the price of wood pellets in Serbia has increased by about 15,000 to 20,000 dinars (143 to 191 U.S. dollars) per ton.
Vladimir expects to use five tons of wood pellets this winter. He hopes the market will remain well supplied and that prices will gradually stabilize.
"Right now, wood pellets here are indeed a bit expensive. I hope supply will be sufficient going forward. For those who can use it, I would strongly recommend wood pellets because they're cleaner, cost-effective, and more convenient to use," said Vladimir.
Wood pellets gain popularity in Serbia as winter fuel, despite rising prices
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced support Monday for the "energy ceasefire" initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying that the proposal creates a viable path toward halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
Trump announced an immediate "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday.
"Effective immediately," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that "both parties have agreed."
The declaration came just two days after Trump unveiled a diesel supply deal with Russia.
"If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire, we will respond," Zelensky said on Monday.
As part of a reciprocal exchange, Zelensky said, Ukraine would be willing to halt strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure if Ukrainian energy facilities receive security guarantees and are spared from Russian attacks.
On the same day, Ukraine's state-run energy company Naftogaz said that Russian forces launched a drone strike early Monday morning against natural gas production facilities in the Kharkiv region.
The airstrike damaged critical equipment, sparked a fire, and disrupted the normal operations of the facility. Emergency crews were dispatched to the site to carry out repairs, restore damaged systems, and handle the aftermath of the blaze, according to Naftogaz.
Russian authorities have not yet responded to the incident.
On Saturday, Trump said Russia was willing to reach a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine but accused Zelensky of resisting a negotiated settlement. He also called on Ukraine to hold an election and choose a new leader who could make a deal with Moscow.
In response to Trump's remarks, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that it is vital for Moscow to see political will within the Kiev regime to accept reality and advance a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
Zelensky responded on Sunday that he would call a vote if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, and that it was "up to Ukrainians" to choose their leader. Presidential elections, originally due in 2024, have been postponed under martial law.
The dispute over the ceasefire comes as rising energy prices have become a growing political concern for Trump ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
On Friday, Trump announced a deal with Putin under which Russia would supply diesel fuel to the United States and global markets. Trump described it as a necessary step to bring down soaring diesel prices, which he attributed largely to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Zelensky rejected the suggestion that he was responsible for rising energy prices, saying that "everybody in the world" knew that the war in the Middle East was a bigger factor.
Ukraine says it backs U.S. 'energy ceasefire' initiative
Ukraine says it backs U.S. 'energy ceasefire' initiative
