U.S. Christmas trees decorate holiday homes around the world - includes related article on importers of Christmas trees

AgExporter, Dec, 1992

Green of the Virginia Department of Agriculture. Green was part of a SUSTA team that recently visited these overseas markets.

Overseas buyers typically think of Christmas trees as coming from northern climates, such as Canada, whereas significant numbers of Christmas trees are grown in the southern United States. SUSTA believes there would be a freight advantage for Latin American and Caribbean buyers in purchasing trees from SUSTA states, which are closer to them.

Lack of awareness by Latin American importers of the availability of trees from the southeastern United States poses one problem. There is also a poor understanding by importers of the characteristics of tree species that are best suited to tropical environments.

On the other hand, there is a lack of awareness by SUSTA tree growers about the most likely markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as about those nations' import specifications. U.S. exporters also should be aware of when importers place Christmas tree orders. Decisions about ordering Christmas items are often made prior to the summer vacation period in these countries, especially May or June.

Mexican Market May Grow

Mexico imported about 350,000 Christmas trees in 1990, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service's Agricultural Affairs Office in Mexico. The office estimates that 1991 imports were about 400,000 trees. With similar trends, Mexico will be a growing market for U.S. Christmas trees, particularly for the most aggressive exporters.

Trade shows have even helped U.S. exporters sell Christmas trees to Mexico. The second U.S. Food Festival was held in Mexico City, August 4-6, and U.S. Christmas trees were particularly well received. One U.S. Christmas tree exporter reported selling 250 container loads of trees during the three-day event.

Mexico's agricultural secretariat regulates the number of trees imported by issuing phytosanitary identification tags. That office also requires importers to provide a notarized copy of these tags when trees cross the Mexican border. Shipments of trees are visually inspected and fumigated at the border. Mexico does not allow imports of white pine due to blister rust infestation.

Christmas trees fall under the harmonized tariff schedule heading "foliage, branches and other parts of plants, goods suitable for ornamental purposes." Mexico does not require an import permit for these products. However, Christmas trees are subject to an ad valorem tariff of 20 percent and the trees must comply with Mexican phytosanitary regulations.

Tree exporters, or their agent, must clear Mexican customs and the agricultural secretariat's phytosanitary inspectors at the border by producing a sales invoice an "Opinion Sanitaria" issued by phytosanitary inspectors at the border and a phytosanitary certificate. Exporters must not paint any part of the tree since phytosanitary inspectors will not allow painted trees to cross the border.

Mexico Contacts

For more information on exporting U.S. Christmas trees and decorative foliage to Mexico, contact: