The Christmas Tree War in Norway. The Holiday Industry May Cease to Exist
Sales of real Christmas trees in Norway are rapidly declining. Producers are sounding the alarm, pointing out that plastic trees are pushing out a long-standing tradition. Many are scaling back operations, and some are shutting down entirely. Meanwhile, concerns about the future of the domestic industry are growing.
Natural Christmas trees have been part of the Norwegian holiday landscape for generations.
Fot. pxhere.com/ CC0 Public Domain
In the past fifteen years, sales of natural Christmas trees in Norway have dropped from 1.6 million to 800,000 units. Producers say outright that the main reason is the growing popularity of cheaper and more convenient plastic models.
Arnt Kristian Stensholt, a Christmas tree grower, told NRK that his farm has to reduce production from 40,000 to about 2,000 trees per year. He emphasizes that better sales results would allow them to operate as they used to. He adds that it is hard for him to accept that plastic is taking over the market despite increasing environmental awareness.
Arnt Kristian Stensholt, a Christmas tree grower, told NRK that his farm has to reduce production from 40,000 to about 2,000 trees per year. He emphasizes that better sales results would allow them to operate as they used to. He adds that it is hard for him to accept that plastic is taking over the market despite increasing environmental awareness.
Buyers Choose Convenience and Practicality
Consumers choose plastic trees for various reasons, including allergies and convenience. However, the industry increasingly believes that plastic is the biggest threat.
Morgan Andersson from the Norwegian Gardeners' Association points out that the number of producers has dropped from around a thousand in 2000 to four hundred in 2020. He emphasizes that the choice of plastic raises environmental concerns and harms local production.
Morgan Andersson from the Norwegian Gardeners' Association points out that the number of producers has dropped from around a thousand in 2000 to four hundred in 2020. He emphasizes that the choice of plastic raises environmental concerns and harms local production.
The import of cheap trees further weakens Norwegian production.Photo: pixabay.com
Growing Environmental Awareness Clashes with the Choice of Plastic Christmas Trees
Producers point out the contradiction between increasing environmental awareness and the popularity of plastic Christmas trees. Customers pay several kroner for plastic bags in stores to reduce plastic use, while trees made entirely of plastic are being advertised.
They note that this phenomenon makes it harder for them to maintain production and weakens the message about environmental protection. Natural Christmas trees are biodegradable, but convenience is now the deciding factor for many buyers. As a result, they believe plastic is gaining the upper hand despite growing pressure to reduce its presence in everyday life.
They note that this phenomenon makes it harder for them to maintain production and weakens the message about environmental protection. Natural Christmas trees are biodegradable, but convenience is now the deciding factor for many buyers. As a result, they believe plastic is gaining the upper hand despite growing pressure to reduce its presence in everyday life.
Not All Producers Are Losing Customers
Despite the difficulties, some farms are still maintaining a stable position. Lars Klevsgård from Østre Nystein Farm in Bamble, representing the third generation of producers, even notes an increase in interest in real trees.
Each year, he prepares about 2,000 trees in various sizes. He emphasizes that the scent of a traditional spruce tree remains irreplaceable for many people. He also points out that continuing the family tradition is especially important to him.
Each year, he prepares about 2,000 trees in various sizes. He emphasizes that the scent of a traditional spruce tree remains irreplaceable for many people. He also points out that continuing the family tradition is especially important to him.
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