Christmas Tree Retailers Flock to Pennsylvania Auction
A surge of bidders from across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic attended a two-day Christmas tree auction in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, where approximately 50,000 trees and thousands of seasonal items were sold. The event, hosted by the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction, provided a chance for retailers and garden stores to stock up on essential items for the holiday season.
The annual auction has gained popularity over the years, with many buyers returning year after year due to its exceptional quality and competitive prices. Cory Stephens, owner of A.A. Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden in Pasadena, Maryland, spent nearly $5,000 on Thursday's auction, praising the quality of the items he purchased.
Stephens' experience is reflected by Ryan Marshall, who bought decorations for resale at Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts, and expects to double his money on some purchases. The two buyers attribute their success to the high-quality products sold at the auction.
According to Marsha Gray, a representative from the Real Christmas Tree Board, Americans' Christmas tree buying habits are evolving, with many opting for artificial trees over natural ones due to concerns about the scent and mess associated with real trees. However, her research suggests that 84% of growers do not expect wholesale prices to increase this season.
Buffalo Valley auction manager Neil Courtney is optimistic about the trend toward artificial trees reversing, saying "the live tree puts the real Christmas in your house." The National Christmas Tree Association's survey found over 21 million farm-grown Christmas trees were sold in 2023, with a median price of $75. This growth could be attributed to the increasing demand for seasonal items at the auction.
As retailers continue to seek out high-quality products at competitive prices, the Pennsylvania wholesale auction is poised to play a significant role in meeting their needs. With many buyers returning year after year, the event solidifies its position as a premier destination for those looking to stock up on essential holiday items.
A surge of bidders from across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic attended a two-day Christmas tree auction in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, where approximately 50,000 trees and thousands of seasonal items were sold. The event, hosted by the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction, provided a chance for retailers and garden stores to stock up on essential items for the holiday season.
The annual auction has gained popularity over the years, with many buyers returning year after year due to its exceptional quality and competitive prices. Cory Stephens, owner of A.A. Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden in Pasadena, Maryland, spent nearly $5,000 on Thursday's auction, praising the quality of the items he purchased.
Stephens' experience is reflected by Ryan Marshall, who bought decorations for resale at Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts, and expects to double his money on some purchases. The two buyers attribute their success to the high-quality products sold at the auction.
According to Marsha Gray, a representative from the Real Christmas Tree Board, Americans' Christmas tree buying habits are evolving, with many opting for artificial trees over natural ones due to concerns about the scent and mess associated with real trees. However, her research suggests that 84% of growers do not expect wholesale prices to increase this season.
Buffalo Valley auction manager Neil Courtney is optimistic about the trend toward artificial trees reversing, saying "the live tree puts the real Christmas in your house." The National Christmas Tree Association's survey found over 21 million farm-grown Christmas trees were sold in 2023, with a median price of $75. This growth could be attributed to the increasing demand for seasonal items at the auction.
As retailers continue to seek out high-quality products at competitive prices, the Pennsylvania wholesale auction is poised to play a significant role in meeting their needs. With many buyers returning year after year, the event solidifies its position as a premier destination for those looking to stock up on essential holiday items.
i mean who doesn't love the smell of pine and all that? anyway back to this auction in pennsylvania... 50k trees sold in 2 days?! crazy! i guess some ppl really believe in the 'live tree' vibe lol. but hey if u can get a good deal, who cares about artificial trees 
... maybe its just a trend? anyway, i'm not complaining i'd rather have the real thing 
i spent like $2000 on all sorts of decorations and trees but honestly it was TOTALLY WORTH IT 
my bf is so impressed with my decorating skills now we're going to have the best christmas ever lol 
btw did u know that 84% of growers dont expect wholesale prices to increase this season? like what even is that supposed to mean? 
I'm loving the idea of shopping local and supporting small farmers like Cory Stephens did! 
It's awesome that he was able to snag some great deals on Thursday's auction and is already expecting a profit from his purchases 
. The fact that the Real Christmas Tree Board says only 16% of growers expect prices to go up this season is pretty reassuring, don't you think? 
Maybe we'll see a resurgence in real trees, and who knows, maybe it'll bring people even closer together like Neil Courtney said 
. Anyway, I'm all for supporting small businesses and farmers - it's really making a difference in our communities 
.
. Plus, who needs the hassle of real trees when you can have a low-maintenance artificial one? 
. And Neil Courtney is right on point with his "live tree puts the real Christmas in your house" shtick 
️!
so i spent like $1000 on decorations and a ton of trees lol my store was kinda low last season so i knew i had to hit this one up and let me tell you the quality is insane 
i mean i've been buying these trees for years but this year they were literally the best ones i've ever seen 
Can't believe people still care about these? Like what's next buying summer clothes in January? It's just another commercialized holiday trying to make us spend more money 
. I mean, it's not surprising that people are shelling out big bucks for high-quality trees and seasonal stuff - think about all the extra income retailers get from selling those things! Anyway, I heard Marsha Gray from the Real Christmas Tree Board sayin' some folks are optin' out of real trees 'cause they're worried about the scent and mess... but apparently 84% of growers don't think prices are gonna go up this season