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UOKiK attributes rising pellet prices to systemic supply shortages
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has concluded an investigation into rising pellet prices, determining that the increases are caused by systemic issues rather than illegal market collusion. The primary driver is a significant imbalance between supply and demand: the growing popularity of pellet-fueled boilers, supported by the ‘Clean Air’ subsidy program, has outpaced the availability of wood raw materials.
Approximately 450,000 households in Poland currently use these boilers, a number that has increased by over 90,000 since 2023. UOKiK noted that the supply of high-quality A1 grade pellet, largely produced from sawmill residues, is insufficient to meet this demand. Furthermore, decreased wood sales by State Forests (PGL Lasy Państwowe) has contributed to the shortage.
UOKiK warns that these price pressures may persist into the upcoming heating season. The agency emphasized that the responsibility for mitigating these effects lies with the government. Specifically, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Climate and Environment possess tools to address the crisis, such as potentially limiting pellet consumption by energy companies to protect individual consumers.
Entities
GE Vernova · Grupa Azoty · KGHM · Lithuania · Ministry of Climate and Environment · Ministry of Energy · ORLEN · Office of Competition and Consumer Protection · Ostrołęka · PGL Lasy Państwowe · Poland · Polska Grupa Górnicza
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] ORLEN and Veolia signed an agreement to cooperate on energy efficiency, circular economy, and water management projects in Poland. infoplocktv.pl
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Ostrołęka power plant project is 90 percent complete and has moved into the technological startup phase. www.money.pl · www.parkiet.com · www.upday.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Rising pellet prices are caused by systemic issues, specifically a mismatch between supply and the high demand from wood-burning stoves. bizblog.spidersweb.pl · polityka.co.pl · uokik.gov.pl
- [● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 77 percent of 2025 'Clean Air' program applications were for pellet and wood boilers. bizblog.spidersweb.pl · polityka.co.pl · uokik.gov.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The planned share issuance involves 33.7 million series E shares.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ostrołęka gas turbine is expected to begin commercial operation by the end of the first quarter of 2027. www.money.pl · www.upday.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Energa faces a monthly penalty of 1.4 million PLN if the Ostrołęka turbine is not operational by the end of the year. www.money.pl · www.upday.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Grupa Azoty is issuing series E shares to the State Treasury to rebuild financial stability.