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Christmas tree bidding fever sweeps Pennsylvania auction as holiday season approaches
Christmas went on the auction block this week in rural Pennsylvania, drawing eager buyers from across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic to one of the industry’s most anticipated annual events.
The Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg became the epicenter of the holiday supply chain as approximately 50,000 Christmas trees and an enormous selection of seasonal decorations changed hands during the two-day event. Buyers braved chilly temperatures to secure inventory for garden centers, roadside lots, and retail outlets preparing for the upcoming holiday rush.
Auctioneers moved swiftly through lots containing Fraser firs—the most popular tree variety—alongside boxes of ornaments, bunches of winterberry, cotton branches, icicle lights, grave blankets, red bows, and tree stands. The selection represented virtually everything needed for holiday decorating except food and gifts.
For retailers like Cory Stephens, the auction has become an essential sourcing opportunity. Stephens, who traveled three hours from his store in Pasadena, Maryland, invested nearly $5,000 on Thursday alone, returning for a second year after his customers raved about last year’s selections.
“It’s incredible, it’s changed our whole world,” said Stephens, who owns A.A. Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden. “If you know what you’re looking for, it’s very hard to beat the quality.”
Fellow buyer Ryan Marshall spent approximately $8,000 on decorations for Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts. His purchases included three skids of wreaths at $29 each—inventory he expected would sell for double that price at retail.
“The quality’s good, and it’s a place that you can pick it out yourself,” Marshall noted, highlighting the value of personal selection in the seasonal decoration business.
The auction comes at a pivotal time for the real Christmas tree industry, which has faced evolving consumer preferences in recent years. According to Marsha Gray of the Real Christmas Tree Board, a Michigan-based national trade group representing Christmas tree farmers, American households are less likely to display a Christmas tree than in previous decades, and those that do increasingly opt for artificial alternatives.
However, natural trees maintain distinct advantages in the marketplace. Gray’s research indicates that the primary reason consumers choose real trees is their fresh scent—an experience artificial trees cannot replicate. Households with children also demonstrate a stronger tendency to select farm-grown trees, maintaining a traditional family experience.
Price stability appears to be helping the industry’s competitive position. An August survey by the Real Christmas Tree Board found 84% of growers did not anticipate wholesale price increases this season—welcome news for retailers operating in a price-conscious environment.
Neil Courtney, Buffalo Valley auction manager, expressed optimism about the industry’s trajectory despite the artificial tree trend. “Long story short—we’ll be back on top of the game shortly,” Courtney predicted. “The live tree puts the real Christmas in your house.”
The National Christmas Tree Association reported that more than 21 million farm-grown Christmas trees were sold in 2023, with a median price of $75. Purchase locations varied significantly: about one-quarter came from “choose-and-cut” farms, one-fifth from chain stores, and the remainder distributed among nurseries, retail lots, nonprofit sales, and online merchants.
The Mifflinburg auction, housed in a facility large enough to accommodate an airplane hangar’s worth of holiday merchandise, has emerged as a critical link in the supply chain. For suppliers and retailers alike, these two days in Pennsylvania farm country represent the official kickoff to the holiday retail season—a time when the business of Christmas begins in earnest, even as consumers are still weeks away from their own decorating activities.
As buyers loaded trucks with freshly purchased inventory, the economic impact of this seasonal industry became evident. The Christmas tree and decoration market continues to represent a significant agricultural and retail sector, supporting farms, small businesses, and seasonal employment across the country.
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12 Comments
With 50,000 trees changing hands, this must be an enormous logistical operation to pull off over just two days. The auctioneers must be pros at keeping everything moving efficiently.
Absolutely, the scale and pace of this auction is quite remarkable. It takes a well-oiled machine to facilitate the sale of that many trees and decorations in such a short time frame.
It’s interesting to see how the holiday supply chain works, with this centralized wholesale auction playing such a key role. I wonder how the prices and availability compare to buying direct from growers.
Good point. The auction format likely gives retailers more negotiating power and selection than dealing with individual growers, but the prices could be higher to cover the auction house’s fees.
This auction seems like a one-stop shop for Christmas tree retailers to stock up on all their holiday decor needs. It’s smart of them to source inventory this way to prepare for the busy season ahead.
I agree, sourcing everything from trees to ornaments at this wholesale auction must make holiday prep much more efficient and cost-effective for retailers.
This auction sounds like a major event in the Christmas tree industry. I’d be curious to know how long it’s been happening and if it’s grown in scale and importance over the years.
Yes, it would be interesting to get some historical context on this auction and see how it has evolved to become such a central part of the holiday supply chain.
I’m curious what the bidding atmosphere is like at this annual Christmas tree auction. It must be quite lively with all the eager retailers trying to secure the best inventory.
The article mentions the auctioneers moving swiftly through the lots, so it sounds like a fast-paced, competitive environment as buyers vie for the supplies they need.
The diversity of inventory at this auction is impressive – not just Christmas trees, but all the complementary decor items as well. It really is a one-stop shop for retailers.
I wonder if the trees and decor sold at this auction are all sourced locally in Pennsylvania, or if they come from further afield. The diversity of the inventory suggests a wider supply chain.