THEME FIREWOOD
THE FIREWOOD
ood was the first source of energy used for heating. It has been superseded since 1850 by coal and by petroleum during the twentieth century. The markets of the products that rival wood are well known because taxes and specific safety measures apply to these fuels, whereas the production and selling channels of firewood are neither well known nor identified. Taking, sustainable development and the environment into account the state, regional organizations, the na ti ona l a nd loca l authorities encourage promoting the use of wood in log form.
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SECTOR IS GETTING ORGANISED. WHAT ARE THE TOOLS TO PROFESSIONALISE FIREWOOD PRODUCTION? ITEBE
Log firewood is the wood-energy fuel requiring the least transformation. Today more and more firewood quality standards exist, and with industrial production, they permit a better control of the market. In this special issue, we will clarify these seldom discussed aspects of the firewood sector.
Logs can be sold in bags in supermarkets (here in the United States).
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FROM BLOCK TO FIREWOOD: SEVERAL POSSIBLE CHANNELS
WOOD ENERGY N°7 < DECEMBER 2002 > 8
Wood is owned by both public and private forest owners. The first phase is the harvesting of the wood, which is done according to three methods: - control or exploitation at the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s risk. The owner entrusts the harvesting works to forest work companies. - selling the standing wood to forest entrepreneurs who take the liability of the harvesting entrusted to forest work companies.
THEME FIREWOOD
Official Channels for Selling Firewood? Stéphane Bourcier – Forêt Bois Développement
We are going to propose some official distribution channels for firewood from the forest through energy production. In spite of the fact that the majority of this resource passes through unofficial channels, there should also be official selling channels in order to professionalise the activities related to the firewood sector.
The wood is then stacked at the roadside at the disposal of the users. The firewood is generally sorted and sold to producers of firewood who can be: - the owners themselves who use it for their own account or who sell it to end-users. - forest entrepreneurs who process the logs into firewood of 20 cm, 30 cm, 50 cm and 1 m. - firewood professionals who produce firewood for end-users. So, the firewood distribution channel is made up of three links: - the forest owner, - the entrepreneur, - the processor. In some cases, these links can overlap each other.
THREE PRODUCT TYPES The wood is presented for sale in three forms to the end-user: - in bags or net-bags of 40 or 80 litres. - in stacks of 1m3, the traditional form for significant volumes. - in bags of fire starters, dry, small wood; an ideal product to light a fire. According to need, the end-user chooses to buy wood in net-bags or stacks: - in net-bags for enjoyment or occasional use.
- in stacks if the wood is used as the main source of energy.
- specialised shops Numerous chains of specialised shops are developing at present, also shops specialising in wood. The concept of these shops brings together fuel supply, inserts, fire-
Packing logs in palletised bundles.
USERS AND SELLERS OF FIREWOOD Firewood is a product that can be sold in: - hypermarkets These chains distribute first and foremost products related to daily life: food, household needs, and the garden. Fire wood is not a priority product for these needs, in particular for discount chains. Large shops have a filling station and, in some cases, a service station for vehicles. The only available place to sell fire wood is the filling station of hypermarkets, preferably in net-bags. Main concerns are the logistics and the price.
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- selling the standing wood to forest cooperatives which take the liability of the harvesting entrusted to forest work companies. This option is reserved for private forest owners because the forest cooperatives are channels for the harvesting and marketing of the wood for which they contract.
France
- DIY centres These shops specialize in do-it-yourself goods. Charcoal is naturally a part of the selection because it is an after-sales service of barbecues. Wood is not systematically presented and the managers of these shops generally do not wish to stock wood in their selection. Wood is a heavy material and has a low added value. In DIY centres, firewood is sold in net-bags. Main concerns are the logistics and the price. - service stations Service stations are multi-energy centres, the main energy source being the fuel. Nevertheless, wood, coal and gas are products frequently sold in service stations. Wood is sold essentially in net-bags. Main concerns are the logistics and the availability. WOOD ENERGY N°7 < DECEMBER 2002 > 9
THEME FIREWOOD
THE FIREWOOD MARKET The official firewood market is situated in three zones: 1. cities and suburbs of big cities The characteristic of this market is a population that uses the wood as the main or secondar y heating method and that looks for reliable wood suppliers. 2. the Atlantic coast 3. the Mediterranean market The markets 2 and 3 are characterized by an important demand but low local availability caused by limited forest resources. A demand superior to the supply is the characteristic of this market. Numerous occasional suppliers offer wood and disturb the market and the companies active in this market.
Consumers are becoming more demanding and want dry wood that has the dimensions they need.
REVITALISING THE FIREWOOD MARKET Consumers look for constant-quality fuels and reliable suppliers. They need points of reference to navigate among the numerous suppliers, knowing that the majority of the volume of firewood passes through the unofficial market. To revitalise this market and to make it more transparent, it is necessary to take the actions summarised in table n°1. These actions are based on three objectives: - strengthening companies that produce good-quality firewood - informing the consumer about the companies competent in firewood production - increasing the market share of firewood These propositions were propose by ADEME during the carrying out of a study on the commercial channels for firewood. 5
INNOVATIONS & PAYSAGES
Selling in hypermarkets does not really offer good value to the firewood producers for their work. Competent professionals have difficulties in becoming established in this market and consumers have difficul-
ties tracking down suppliers who produce good-quality wood.
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places and accessories. These shops are an answer to the needs of the local people in the cities and suburbs that are looking at the same time for stoves and for fuel. Indeed, it is very difficult to find one’s way among the numerous firewood suppliers.
Kindling wood, dry and small, is ideal for lighting a fire.
WOOD ENERGY N°7 < DECEMBER 2002 > 10
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THEME FIREWOOD
When packed in net-bags, firewood serves for enjoyment or for occasional use.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Stéphane Bourcier Cabinet Forêt Bois Développement +33 680 02 14 76
Firewood on a pallet. Table 1: Propositions for the development of the official market for firewood.
CURRENT SCENARIO
EVOLUTION OF THE SCENARIO
N°1: Selling in Hypermarkets N°2: Selling to the Professionals
Increasing the selling price to the consumers Increasing the supply and making it reliable
N°3: Selling in Specialised Shops N°4: Mediterranean Market
Increasing the number of shops Increasing the sales volume Establishing a list of competent professionals
N°5: Selling by Internet
Establishing a list of competent professionals
LEVERS Familiarity with the market Information to the buyers Familiarity with this market Getting the producers and the users in touch with each other Establishing a list at the national level Establishing a list of traders on the basis of a quality charter Establishing a list of professionals who produce good-quality wood Promoting an Internet site where firewood is sold
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