Christmas trees could be in short supply this year after imports from Denmark were suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Nordmann Fir trees, which are traditionally purchased over the festive season, are limited this year due to coronavirus restrictions as a result of the Danish mink cull.
Around 10million trees are sold in Britain every year, around 3million of them imported.
And garden centres have warned that with limited imports from Europe, many customers could leave empty handed.
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BGTA) said that, so far, retailers have been able to meet demand from domestic supplies.
Its founder Chris Bonnett said: “This time last year, we thought Brexit was going to cause a shortage of festive trees for Christmas 2020, but fortunately that hasn't been the case.
“Now, however, with many trees imported from Denmark, which has stopped exporting goods due to the Coronavirus mink cull, suppliers are struggling to get through.
“Our online sales are already up around 1,000% for Christmas trees on the same period last year, and thankfully we have a local plantation to rely on for our stock.
“But many retailers import huge volumes of trees from Denmark, meaning there could be a shortage. Haulier drivers can't even exit the country at the moment due to fears around the new Coronavirus strain.
“Many suppliers could be cut off if the restrictions in Denmark aren't lifted soon.”
However, Heather Parry of the BCTGA is hopeful that there will be enough stock to go around.
"The British Christmas Tree Growers Association's members provide the bulk of Christmas trees for the UK market and that proportion is increasing each year," he said.
“Brexit and Covid - including Mink Covid in Denmark - have had an impact on imported trees but they are getting through customs, albeit more slowly than normal.
“The vast majority of the 8-10 million Christmas trees sold in this country are grown in the UK.”
