Tens of Thousands of Christmas Trees Sold at Mifflinburg Auction, Boosting Local Supply
About 50,000 farm grown Christmas trees and a vast haul of wreaths and holiday décor were sold at the two day Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg on November 20 and 21, supplying retailers across the Northeast and mid Atlantic. The event signals price stability for growers and a potential rebound for live tree demand, with direct impact on Union County farm income and regional holiday supply chains.
Farmers and wholesale buyers converged in chilly weather at the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg, Union County, on November 20 and 21 for the annual two day Christmas sale. Organizers estimated about 50,000 farm grown Christmas trees changed hands, along with enough wreaths, crafts and other seasonal items to fill an airplane hangar. Buyers from across the Northeast and mid Atlantic attended to stock garden stores, retail lots and seasonal vendors for December demand.
The auction drew repeat customers who say the event delivers quality and value. Cory Stephens returned for a second year on behalf of A.A. Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden in Pasadena, Maryland, spending nearly $5,000 on November 20. “It’s incredible; it’s changed our whole world,” Stephens said. “If you know what you’re looking for, it’s very hard to beat the quality.” Ryan Marshall of Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts spent about $8,000 on decorations and skids of wreaths priced at $29 each, and he expected to double his money. “The quality’s good, and it’s a place that you can pick it out yourself,” he said.
Auction manager Neil Courtney said farm grown tree prices appear to have stabilized after years of pressure from artificial alternatives. “Long story short, we’ll be back on top of the game shortly,” Courtney said. “The live tree puts the real Christmas in your house.” National trade data provide context for that optimism. A survey by the Real Christmas Tree Board in August found 84 percent of growers did not expect wholesale prices to increase for the season, and the National Christmas Tree Association reports more than 21 million farm grown trees were sold in 2023 at a median price of $75. About one quarter were purchased at choose and cut farms while one in five came from chain stores.
For Union County growers and seasonal labor markets, the auction represents direct revenue and downstream sales for local suppliers of greenery and holiday goods. For regional retailers the event supplies a large share of product destined for consumer purchase in December, supporting markup opportunities that buyers at the auction signaled they expect to capture. Longer term, growers are banking on the scent and authenticity of live trees to attract customers amid a multi decade shift toward artificial alternatives, a preference that the Real Christmas Tree Board says is driven by consumers wanting the fresh scent of a real tree and the presence of children in the home.
The Mifflinburg auction thus served both as a barometer for the farm grown tree market and as a tangible boost to Union County agricultural income heading into the holiday season.