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| Christmas tree shortage concern | Christmas tree shortage concern |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Christmas tree growers say they are working flat out to deal with a surge in demand for British trees caused by a weaker pound. | |
| The cost of imported trees has risen by an estimated 30% this year because of the pound's value compared to the euro. | The cost of imported trees has risen by an estimated 30% this year because of the pound's value compared to the euro. |
| One grower on the Gower, near Swansea, warned that there could be a shortage of Christmas trees this year. | One grower on the Gower, near Swansea, warned that there could be a shortage of Christmas trees this year. |
| The British Christmas Tree Growers' Association said there was an enormous demand from garden centres. | The British Christmas Tree Growers' Association said there was an enormous demand from garden centres. |
| Association secretary Roger Hay said: "As a result of the value of sterling falling relative to the euro and the Danish krone, trees being imported this year are about 30% more expensive than they were last year. | Association secretary Roger Hay said: "As a result of the value of sterling falling relative to the euro and the Danish krone, trees being imported this year are about 30% more expensive than they were last year. |
| "Not many trees are being brought into this country. | "Not many trees are being brought into this country. |
| "I've been in the association now for a number of years and I've never known a year such as this for the demand from garden centres for trees." | "I've been in the association now for a number of years and I've never known a year such as this for the demand from garden centres for trees." |
| A couple of big retailers in London wanted 3,000 trees, desperate to pay any money for the trees Robert Morgan, Gower Fresh Christmas Trees | A couple of big retailers in London wanted 3,000 trees, desperate to pay any money for the trees Robert Morgan, Gower Fresh Christmas Trees |
| Robert Morgan, of Gower Fresh Christmas Trees in Three Crosses, Gower, said he had just under 200,000 trees on his farm, but was having to turn down orders. | Robert Morgan, of Gower Fresh Christmas Trees in Three Crosses, Gower, said he had just under 200,000 trees on his farm, but was having to turn down orders. |
| "This year we're not wholesaling many trees at the moment because we're trying to keep up with the demand ourselves," he said. | "This year we're not wholesaling many trees at the moment because we're trying to keep up with the demand ourselves," he said. |
| "The last few days we've had orders from garden centres... a couple of big retailers in London wanted 3,000 trees, desperate to pay any money for the trees. | "The last few days we've had orders from garden centres... a couple of big retailers in London wanted 3,000 trees, desperate to pay any money for the trees. |
| "Basically, they've left it too late and they haven't got the trees so there will be a shortage, but hopefully the British crop will suffice." | "Basically, they've left it too late and they haven't got the trees so there will be a shortage, but hopefully the British crop will suffice." |
| Mr Morgan said he also believed many individual customers were keen to buy trees that were grown locally, rather than imported. | Mr Morgan said he also believed many individual customers were keen to buy trees that were grown locally, rather than imported. |
| Local support | Local support |
| "I think the customer is far more interested in where the tree comes from, as in the meat industry: where does the chicken come from, where does the meat come from?" he said. | "I think the customer is far more interested in where the tree comes from, as in the meat industry: where does the chicken come from, where does the meat come from?" he said. |
| "I think they want to know where it's come from and, buying from a British grower, you're assured of that. | "I think they want to know where it's come from and, buying from a British grower, you're assured of that. |
| "Also, when it's cut, it's obviously a fresher tree." | "Also, when it's cut, it's obviously a fresher tree." |
| Many of those buying trees at the farm said they were keen to support local businesses. | Many of those buying trees at the farm said they were keen to support local businesses. |
| Julia Minney, buying a tree with her husband Gareth, said: "I grew up in Three Crosses so it's quite important to me to have a tree from somewhere really local. | Julia Minney, buying a tree with her husband Gareth, said: "I grew up in Three Crosses so it's quite important to me to have a tree from somewhere really local. |
| "The more we can do for the environment the better, and we think getting a local tree from Three Crosses is doing our bit for the environment." | "The more we can do for the environment the better, and we think getting a local tree from Three Crosses is doing our bit for the environment." |