Following a noticeable drop in ambient temperatures, preparations for the upcoming winter season have commenced in remote regions of the country. Specifically, the firewood market located in the Konchilar neighborhood of Chimyon village, Fergana district, has seen a surge in activity as locals rush to secure essential heating materials ahead of the colder months.

According to local vendors, winter preparation typically involves purchasing old, low-yielding orchards and processing the fruit trees into firewood for seasonal sale. This trade serves as an important secondary livelihood for residents as demand spikes with the arrival of frost. Current market rates show that a load of apricot wood transported via a Labo truck ranges from 800,000 to 1.2 million soms depending on quality, while a larger ZIL truckload can cost up to 2.8 million soms.

Residents are carefully calculating their energy needs to ensure they can weather the winter comfortably. Adham ota Abbosov, a resident of Qurgontepa village, noted that his household traditionally operates two stoves throughout the winter, consuming approximately 1.5 tons of coal and multiple loads of firewood to survive the season safely. Overall estimates suggest an average family requires at least three Labo loads of wood and roughly two tons of coal to get through the winter.

At the entrance to the Konchilar market, commercial activity extends beyond fuel to heating equipment. Local merchant Tohir aka Kholmatov, joined by his son, has set up a shop selling metal stoves and related supplies. For residents living in non-gasified remote areas, these seasonal preparations remain a critical and recurring necessity as they brace for winter's arrival.

Source: kun.uz