The UK could be facing a Christmas tree shortage after Denmark’s Covid mink cull impacted supply, experts have warned.
Tree buyers from online garden centre GardeningExpress.co.uk have warned that because Denmark has halted exports in an attempt to control a Coronavirus mutation found on mink farms, the UK’s Christmas tree supply chain could be affected.
Denmark produces around 10-12million trees each year and is estimated to be just behind the US as the world’s largest exporter of Christmas trees, according to the Danish Christmas Tree Association.
Many stores and supermarkets rely on these exports for their festive stock, ordering huge volumes of trees each year.
But Gardening Express is predicting issues with the supply chain due to the shutdowns across Denmark.
The online garden centre has seen a huge increase in orders this year as shoppers have turned to the internet due to traditional garden centres being closed.
Sales of Christmas trees have seen a tenfold increase on 2019, with the site confident of delivering every order thanks to having UK suppliers.
Founder Chris Bonnett said he had feared last year that Britain’s exit from the EU could cause supply issues, but he could never have imagined a global pandemic would directly impact Christmas tree orders.
GardeningExpress.co.uk’s founder Chris Bonnett said: “This time last year, we thought Brexit was going to cause a shortage of festive trees for Christmas 2020, but fortunately that hasn’t been the case.
“Now, however, with many trees imported from Denmark which has stopped exporting goods due to the Coronavirus mink cull, suppliers are struggling to get through.
“Our online sales are already up around 1000% for Christmas trees on the same period last year, and thankfully we have a local plantation to rely on for our stock.
“But many retailers important huge volumes of trees from Denmark, meaning there could be a shortage. Haulier drivers can’t even exit the country at the moment due to fears around the new Coronavirus strain.
“Many families love the annual trip to pick out a real Christmas tree, but it looks like many are opting to buy online and have one delivered this year – in case the lockdown is extended, for example.
“They are certainly avoiding getting pine needles in the back of the car and squeezing the family alongside a sizeable tree!
“This is why we’re warning of this potential shortage for those that do choose to visit stores this year – many suppliers could be cut off if the restrictions in Denmark aren’t lifted soon.”