Bracing for winter fuel shortages, Fergana residents turning to coal and firewood

“This year, we couldn’t gather enough firewood for winter. Since spring, I’ve been collecting pistachio and walnut shells along with fruit pits. If we can get discounted coal, we will, but if not, we’ll manage. There are nine of us in the family, and we need at least 1.5 tons of coal to get through the season,” Davronova shared.

For many, preparing for winter also means a season of hard work. Holmatjon Juraev, a local woodcutter, reported that as temperatures drop, his business of cutting firewood for a fee keeps him busy. “There’s no gas here, so I go door-to-door with my saw. People are so desperate they’re even chopping down fruit trees for firewood,” said Juraev.

In the area, Kazakh coal is particularly popular. Coal vendor Azizbek Hakimov explained that Kazakh coal, known for its higher heat output and longer burn, sells for 1,700 UZS per kilogram for smaller pieces and 1,900 UZS for larger chunks. “People buy anywhere from 500 kilograms to a ton depending on what they can afford,” Hakimov said.

Young Fergana resident Mukhammadayub Abdusattarov, who helps his father sell firewood, described the local pricing: a small truckload of apricot wood goes for 550,000–600,000 UZS, while poplar wood is around 450,000 UZS. Drier wood fetches a higher price, selling for up to 600,000 UZS.

Some residents are banding together to buy coal in bulk. Margilan resident Abdukhalim Ergashov reported that he and his neighbors recently pooled resources to purchase over six tons of coal from a local warehouse at 309 UZS per kilogram, enough to allocate one ton per household. Ergashov’s family of four also purchased additional firewood, ensuring a supply of four tons of coal to help them weather the cold months.

With winter demand surging, firewood prices are climbing. In central Rishtan district, an apricot wood load delivered by van currently sells for 1–1.7 million UZS, while a ZIL truckload of sawdust—another source of heating for rural communities—costs 1.6 million UZS.