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Planet Money

We buy a lot of Christmas trees (Update)

Dec 22, 2023
Explore the world's largest auction of Christmas trees, the critical shortage of trees in the country, and the hosts' journey to sell trees in New York City. They learn about negotiating tree prices, resort to desperate measures, and discuss the financial results and market conditions.
31:40

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The economics of the Christmas tree market have been significantly impacted by the Great Recession, leading to a shortage of trees today.
  • The world's largest Christmas tree auction in Pennsylvania showcases the competitiveness of the market and the increasing demand for large, high-end trees.

Deep dives

The Economics of Christmas Trees

The podcast episode explores the economics of the Christmas tree market. It discusses how the Great Recession affected the industry, leading to a shortage of trees today. The episode visits the world's largest auction of Christmas trees in Pennsylvania, where buyers and sellers come together to determine prices. It explains that the prices of trees have been increasing due to various factors, including inflation and supply constraints. However, the podcast suggests that the average price of a Christmas tree is expected to remain around $80. Overall, the episode provides insights into the complexities and dynamics of the Christmas tree market.

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