"Look, if you're calling about pellets, we're out of them." From the first words of the dealer who answers the phone, there's no doubt: the fuel shortage that fuels the stoves in the homes of thousands of Sardinians isn't over. The material is virtually impossible to find. When it does appear, the pallets are emptied in no time. And prices are out of control, with increases of up to 70% per bag.
"It's all the fault of American tariffs," argues Alex Meloni, who runs Il Draghetto in Oristano. He speaks to numerous customers asking: when will the next shipment of pellets arrive ? He has an international perspective on the problem: "Most imports come from South America. There, they've given incentives for the purchase of pellet stoves, with a completely flawed European policy that hasn't guaranteed the supply of raw materials." Some argue that the shortage of products, with their skyrocketing prices, is actually more of a Sardinian problem than an Italian or even European one: "I understand there's a severe shortage in Italy too," Meloni explains, "and given the current times, I don't think the Trump problem will be resolved anytime soon."
In Sassari, the situation remains unchanged: "Maybe a shipment will arrive on Thursday. The price? We don't know yet. We certainly don't have pellets right now. But they're not available in the rest of Sardinia either." The speaker is an experienced employee of the Alfonso Carlini company, a Predda Niedda-based company that handles fuels as well as pellets. The conversation dates back to 10:00 this morning: "And thirty customers have already shown up. Plus all the calls. It's a huge loss for us." But what are the reasons for the uncontrolled price increases? "It's been colder than in previous years. Demand has been higher, and supplies are running out. In addition to the normal mechanism of price increases due to product shortages, we should also add that in Sardinia, the goods arrive by ship and are transported by road. Ships and trucks," the Sassari company explains, "run on diesel, the cost of which has increased due to excise duties. The supply chain to Sardinia is more expensive, and we retailers are also paying the price, the second-to-last link before consumers." But there's another factor: "And yes, some of the competitors have speculated." The current crisis is similar to the one recorded in 2022: "It was worse then," he explains, "but the mechanism is similar."
One company that has since withdrawn from the market is No.Vi Commercial, which online appears to be one of the strongest pellet importers on the island: "Perhaps it used to be like that. Not anymore," says owner Quirico Sanciu. "After the problems we encountered four years ago, we decided to focus on something else. No more pellets." But he knows the market well, "and yes, there are overall dynamics. But also a lot, a lot of speculation."
Regarding the emergency, the consumer association Adiconsum has announced it will file a complaint with all Sardinian prosecutors' offices and the Antitrust Authority. Tore Piana of the Agricultural Studies Center also addressed the Antitrust Authority with a formal complaint: "In Northern Sardinia, pellets represent the main or only source of domestic heating for many families, the elderly, and economically vulnerable individuals. A 70% increase in just ten days," according to Piana, "creates a situation of serious economic damage for consumers, difficult to reconcile with a healthy and transparent competitive market."
While waiting for possible institutional intervention, there are those who are only hoping for rising temperatures.