NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — For many families, picking out a real Christmas tree is a cherished holiday tradition — but behind that tradition is a farm sector experiencing mounting long-term challenges. This season, the U.S. Christmas tree industry is facing strain from shifting consumer habits, rising competition from Chinese-made artificial trees, and a decades-long decline in domestic production.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down the scope of the U.S Christmas tree industry and the challenges growers are facing in today’s economy.
According to Munch, U.S. Christmas tree production remains a significant segment of specialty agriculture, with each tree requiring 7–10 years to reach market size. Despite the long-standing cultural appeal of real trees, growers face stiff competition from artificial alternatives — and between 85 percent and 95 percent of artificial trees sold in the U.S. are imported from China.
Long-term data reflect the pressure: the number of U.S. farms harvesting Christmas trees fell nearly 30 percent between 2002 and 2022. Yet, Munch emphasized why buying real still matters. Beyond supporting thousands of domestic jobs, real trees contribute to local economies and help keep family farms viable.
READ MORE: AFBF — Real Christmas Trees: A Market Worth Supporting
Mary-Thomas Hart, with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, discusses the latest WOTUS developments and their implications for agriculture.
November 19, 2025 03:05 PM
·
Only properly documented, unexhausted fertilizer applied by prior owners may qualify for Section 180 expensing; broader nutrient-based claims carry significant legal and tax risk.
November 19, 2025 12:52 PM
·
Urea and phosphate see the biggest price relief from tariff exemptions, but nitrogen markets remain tight, and spring demand will still dictate pricing momentum.
November 19, 2025 12:31 PM
·
Lower turkey and wheat prices helped ease Thanksgiving costs, but underlying farm-sector pressures remain significant.
November 19, 2025 11:06 AM
·
November 19, 2025 09:00 AM
·
Cattle and hog supplies continue to tighten while dairy output expands, creating a split outlook in which red-meat prices soften and milk values come under pressure from larger supplies.
November 18, 2025 03:02 PM
·
Hunter Biram, an extension economist with the University of Arkansas, is tracking Mississippi River water levels as grain shippers shift their focus to transportation following the wrap-up of fall harvest.
November 18, 2025 01:24 PM
·
With feed supplies running tight, producers can tap into some creative options, according to University of Pennsylvania Veterinarian and Professor Dr. Joe Bender.
November 18, 2025 01:13 PM
·
November 18, 2025 01:09 PM
·
