Real Christmas trees will be more expensive this year

Inflation is hitting everything from eggs and bread to travel costs, so it should come as no surprise that it will jack up the price of Christmas trees this holiday season.

Wholesale tree growers say they're facing sharp increases in their production costs, and those increases will be passed on to wholesalers and in turn to consumers.

Of 55 wholesale growers surveyed by the Real Christmas Tree Board, which together represent an estimated 66% of the country’s real Christmas tree market, over a third said they are experiencing 11% to 15% increases in costs. Over a quarter said their cost increases are running 16% to 20%, and another 10% of growers said their costs have increased by even more.

“While our grower survey tells us wholesale prices are likely to be higher for real Christmas trees this year, our consumer survey tells us people expected as much," said Marsha Gray, executive director of the Michigan-based trade group. "The good news is fans of real Christmas trees say they believe the trees are worth the price and they are willing to pay more this year if necessary to get one."

The board does not predict any inventory shortages.

“The real Christmas tree industry met demand last year and it will meet demand this year,” Gray said. “The grower survey tells us demand is healthy. Retailers see steady consumer interest in real Christmas trees and right now supply is pretty well matched to that interest. The majority – 67% of the wholesalers we talked to – said they expect to sell all the trees they plan to harvest this year."