Heating crisis looms as Syrian families’ struggles intensify

Following the season of preserving food for the winter and preparations for the start of the school year, a heating crisis has begun to loom as preparations get underway for the winter season and heating supplies enter the markets at high prices. This comes amid rising living costs and fuel prices, increasing the burdens on Syrian families and presenting heating with a new challenge as purchasing power continues to decline.

This coincides with the issuance of a new fuel price schedule by the Committee for Pricing Petroleum Products early Sunday, September 13, which raised the price of diesel relied upon by Syrians for heating during the winter to 175 liras, in addition to increasing the prices of other petroleum products.

Heating costs rise

At the Manakhlieh market in Damascus, ANHA's agency observed large quantities of heating supplies being offered in various types and designs, alongside increased activity in the distribution of heaters and efforts to repair old ones.

The price of small heaters from popular and lesser-known brands reached around 675,000 old Syrian liras, equivalent to more than $50, while a heater of the same size from a well-known brand reached 1.25 million liras.

Large heaters cost up to 2 million liras, while turbo heaters can cost as much as 6 million liras.

Iron wood-burning stoves are sold for around 500,000 liras, while cast-iron heaters can cost up to 7 million liras.

With gas heating returning as one of the available options, due to the availability of gas and its lower cost compared with electric heating, several types of gas heaters have appeared on the market, including popular models, while some heavy-duty models cost up to 3 million liras.

Hassan Abu Omar, the owner of a shop in Manakhlieh, said the heating season is one of the largest expenses borne by Syrian families, noting that heater prices have risen by more than 25% compared with last season.

Abu Omar explained that the price increases are due to inflation in the cost of production inputs, rising energy costs, workers’ wages, and living expenses, in addition to higher shop rents and fines, which he said have reached substantial amounts, ranging in some cases from 10 to 15 million liras.

The Damascus-based trader pointed to a decline in demand for heaters among retail traders, explaining that those who used to order a truckload or two now order around five heaters this season. He noted a clear trend toward repairing old heaters and using them for as long as possible, considering this an indication of declining purchasing power and stagnant sales in the markets.

Abu Omar said the heater industry has developed significantly and now includes models that operate on wood, gas, and diesel, as well as others designed for small rooms, living rooms, and guest rooms. However, the high prices of modern models put them within the reach of only a limited segment of the population, while most families are turning toward smaller heaters, whose prices have risen by 25% compared with last year.

ANHA observed significant price differences between popular or lesser-known heaters and those belonging to well-known brands, with the difference between two heaters of the same size reaching 500,000 liras.

Citizen Wael Saedawi said the spread of products manufactured for street stalls, without quality standards or oversight, represents exploitation of people’s needs and their limited purchasing power.

He added that a diesel-based heating season requires a heater, pipes, and elbows both inside and outside the home, in addition to at least 200 liters of diesel. At the new prices, the total cost amounts to several million Syrian liras, meaning that a citizen may need four months’ worth of wages to cover the costs of the heating season.

Energy doubles the burden on families

Economic expert Ayed Jihad told ANHA agency that Syrian citizens spend two-thirds of their salaries on energy and food, noting that the coming season will be difficult for Syrian families amid successive increases in energy prices and the cost of heating supplies.

Jihad pointed out that the prices of all heating methods have increased compared with last year, whether they operate on diesel, wood, gas, or electricity. He noted that electric heating is no longer an affordable option for many families due to the sharp increase in electricity bills.

He explained that the exchange rate is no longer the almost sole determinant of costs and prices, particularly after the currency replacement in Syria and the occurrence of a monetary shock caused by rising prices alongside a liquidity shortage, while the exchange rate remained stable.

He said that rising prices of bread, gas, fuel, and production inputs leave poor families with limited options, including severe austerity and giving up some necessities, making heating for some segments of society closer to a luxury.

NE, Syria faces a winter without previous subsidies

The heating crisis extends beyond Damascus to various parts of Syria, particularly northeastern Syria, where the coming winter arrives amid the suspension of fuel subsidies that had been in place during the period of the Autonomous Administration.

Al-Hasakah Governorate has witnessed a suspension of fuel subsidies for more than 10 days. Such subsidies had previously been available in the region, particularly for service sectors, including generators, bakeries, and transportation.

The Autonomous Administration had previously distributed 300 liters of subsidized fuel to each family at a symbolic price, helping households secure part of their needs during the winter.

With this support absent in the coming season, families in northeastern Syria are facing higher fuel prices and increased costs for heating supplies at a time when the purchasing power of Syrian households is generally declining. This adds a new burden to living costs as winter approaches

 ANHA