You want to get a Christmas tree for this year? Santa might bring one to you, but it is better to ask.

According to Christmas tree sellers, there will be fewer trees for sale in the holiday season because of a double-whammy of climate change and supply chain problems.

Sellers predict that artificial and natural trees will be affected by the shortage of supply.

Chris Butler CEO, National Tree Company is a major importer of holiday decorations and holiday trees. He stated, “The demand for this year’s artificial Christmas trees will be exceptionally strong.”

Consumers should purchase now as there will be plenty of shelves empty by Thanksgiving. He said that there is already strong growth compared to last year, and that this means we are in for an exciting season.

Butler indicated that this season’s higher demand was reflected in a steady rise in household spending during the pandemic and fatigue due to Covid-19.

Jami Warner (executive director, American Christmas Tree Association) advised, “If you find something that you like, purchase it.” Warner said that artificial trees are mainly imported from Asia, and therefore take longer to reach the United States than normal.

“This year’s quantities are smaller than ever before and it will cost the customer more. She said that although they won’t go up significantly, they would be much higher than usual.

The world’s supply chain – a connective tissue for commerce – is under pressure from surging consumer demand, labor shortages and overseas manufacturing delays. Supply chain disruptions, which were further exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, have led to higher freight costs, delivery times and inflation.

Supply chains are designed to ensure that the products reach the intended destination in the most efficient way possible. Cheryl Druehl is an expert in supply chains and a professor at George Mason University’s School of Business.

Our supply chains are often quite long and vulnerable, but it was made more obvious by the pandemic. Druehl explained that there were numerous shutdowns in the world, causing significant delays and shortages. “Now, production has recovered, and the ports, logistics, and trucking all are stressed,” Druehl stated.

Butler claimed that every year, he buys thousands of shipping container to ship product from China to America.

Butler explained that it was difficult to get containers since May due to Covid-19 back-ups. He also said that prices started to increase in June.

The last year was $2,000 to $3,000, and the price this year is in the neighborhood of $25,000,000. “Last year, we paid $2,000 to $3,000 for containers and this year we’re paying in the region of $20,000.,” Butler stated. He added that although he had a shortage of 1,000 containers, nearly 90 percent of his orders were filled.

Butler stated that consumers could see an increase of 25% in their prices this year because of the rise in transport costs.