The Christmas countdown has begun, and with demand for Christmas trees on the rise, prices are increasingly becoming the focus of attention. Although there are no supply concerns, the trees may be more expensive this year due to rising production costs.
Although the economic environment and the drought-stricken summer may have caused concern, market players are providing reassuring news about the quality of supply. However, we must be prepared for changes in prices. With the help of an expert, Origo has investigated what costs families in Hungary can expect and what the real situation is on the supply side.
Zsolt Beckl, a founding member of the Hungarian Pine Producers’ Association, said that there was good reason to fear a shortage on the market, given the hot summer this year. However, the expert reassured that
the climate in the most important growing areas remains ideal for pine production.
Although irrigation was necessary in some dry regions, thanks to the careful attention of producers, the quality of the trees will be impeccable, as in previous years, he added.
Modern technology also helps: through pruning and professional care, Hungarian pine trees can compete with Western imports, emphasized the expert, who said that there is no need to worry about aesthetic problems; the trees are healthy and well-shaped.
Of course, the most important factor for consumers is the price of the trees. Zsolt Beckl did not have good news on that front. The increase in production costs will inevitably be reflected in consumer prices, he said. He believes that primary producers are likely to raise their prices by a moderate 10 percent.
I see that an increase of around 10 percent is expected compared to last year. I have no insight into how much retailers will add to the price when people buy from them,”
he said honestly.
This means there will be a price increase, but the extent of it will largely depend on who we buy from. In terms of varieties, Nordmann fir remains the king of the market, but an interesting trend is the growing demand for black spruce, which represents a kind of nostalgic return to the fashion of previous decades.
Világgazdaság asked another source familiar with the Hungarian Christmas tree market about the exact price trends, who expects the following prices per meter this year:
- Spruce: 4000 forints (10.50 euros)
- Silver fir: 5000-6000 forints (13-15.70 euros)
- Nordmann fir: 6000-8000 forints (15.70-20.90 euros)
Compared to foreign, mainly Danish imported trees, the huge advantage of domestic trees is their freshness. While imported trees are often cut down as early as the beginning of November, Hungarian producers start harvesting much later, just before the holidays.
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Via Origo, Világgazdaság; Featured image: Pexels
The post Christmas Trees Are Not Getting Any Cheaper appeared first on Hungary Today.
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