As the heating season begins, the price of pellets has risen moderately. According to the German Pellet Institute (DEPI), one metric ton (t) of pellets costs an average of 464.61 euros nationwide for a purchase of 6 metric tons. This corresponds to 9.29 cents per kilowatt-hour of heat. Compared to the previous month, this represents an increase of approximately 2.3 percent; in September, the increase was 6.2 percent. Heating oil is nearly twice as expensive. The price advantage over heating oil is approximately 45 percent, and over natural gas, approximately 21 percent.

The cost advantage becomes even more evident when looking at a full year: Based on October figures, those who heat with pellets instead of oil save 2,314 euros; compared to natural gas, the savings amount to 1,140 euros.

“The current price situation continues to make it advisable to replenish pellet stocks according to individual needs. Many pellet heating users already seem to be taking this to heart,” says Martin Bentele, DEPI Managing Director.

The price increase is driven by the tight situation in the wood market. Pellets are primarily made from sawmill byproducts, the volume of which depends on the amount of lumber being cut at sawmills. Due to weak demand for lumber, many sawmills have scaled back production, resulting in less wood waste. Consequently, the slowdown in construction activity is affecting pellet prices.


Regional Prices
In October 2026, the following regional differences in the price of wood pellets are observed (for a purchase quantity of 6 metric tons): In Central Germany, the price per metric ton is 462.84 euros; Northern and Eastern Germany follow at 464.93 euros/t. In Southern Germany, the price is 466.81 euros/t.

DEPI Pellet Price
The DEPI Pellet Price has been published monthly since 2011; until May 2020, it was published by the German Energy Wood and Pellet Association (DEPV). It reflects the average price in Germany for one metric ton of ENplus A1-grade pellets for the respective purchase quantity (delivery within a 50-kilometer radius, including all ancillary costs and value-added tax)—nationwide and across three regions. The DEPV offers a separate DEPV Pellet Price for net delivery contr

Larger quantities (26 metric tons) will be traded in October 2026 under the following terms: North/East: 442.83 euros per metric ton; Central: 443.53 euros per metric ton; and South: 451.23 euros per metric ton (all prices include VAT).

Source: DEPI