Paris, November 21, 2025 — The French Autorité de la concurrence has issued an opinion to the National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee detailing how operators and public authorities can limit future supply shocks and price spikes in the domestic wood fuel pellet sector, following sharp consumer harm during the 2021–2022 heating season.
Market Context
Wood pellets are widely used by households with stoves or boilers and have long remained a stable, affordable heating option. Prices surged in 2021–2022 due to early and unusually strong demand, rising production costs, and reliance on higher-priced imports. The Autorité found these increases stemmed from economic conditions rather than unlawful behavior.
Key Recommendations
The Autorité evaluated proposals from industry players and public authorities and issued guidance on measures aimed at improving transparency, strengthening supply resilience, and limiting the impact of sudden market pressures.
Monthly indices — The authority supports the idea of monthly price, volume, and stock indicators, but warns that transparency tools must avoid disclosing real-time competitive data. It recommends that indices be aggregated, delayed, public, and accompanied by reminders that companies must set prices independently.
Supply flexibility
• Storage expansion could smooth supply throughout the year, with limited risks of speculation due to the sector’s structure.
• Occasional imports can ease imbalances but must not lead to misleading marketing or coordinated pricing behavior. Any pooling of resources must comply with applicable rules.
• Crisis-only demand management platform—currently being finalized—must prevent exchanges of sensitive data and ensure distributors compete to serve consumer requests.
Guidance on Public Measures
Wood energy vouchers, introduced in 2022, were underused. If reintroduced, they should remain temporary and avoid creating incentives for suppliers to raise prices.
Price caps, permitted under French law in exceptional circumstances, should be used sparingly. The Autorité warns that caps could prompt suppliers to align at the ceiling, raising costs for consumers.
Open-Door Guidance
The Autorité notes that operators developing sustainability-driven initiatives may request informal guidance under its 2024 notice to assess compliance with relevant rules.
