Despite the difficult economic situation, it is estimated that Germans will spend more on rockets, firecrackers, etc. this year than last year. “There are about 20 percent more fireworks available at retail than last year,” says Oliver Gerstmeier, sales manager of fireworks company Weco.
Fireworks have almost sold out in stores over the past two years, which means the supply has increased considerably. “Fireworks are more popular than ever before.” However, Weco’s sales manager limits himself to the difficult sales forecasts for this year. The general economic weakness and concerns about employment are dampening the mood of many consumers. According to Gerstmeier, prices for fireworks have increased because freight rates for imports from China have become expensive.
Industry turnover 180 million euros
The German Association of the Pyrotechnic Industry (VPI) estimates the increase in supply at around 15 percent. According to the information, sales of New Year’s Eve fireworks amounted to around 180 million euros at the end of 2023. According to its own statements, Weco has a fireworks market share of approximately two-thirds in Germany. Weco imports the majority of its products from China and a small part from countries such as the Czech Republic, where sparklers are made, and Switzerland, where ‘volcanoes’ come from.
The company produces 20 percent itself at its two locations in Eitorf near Cologne and in Kiel, making Weco the last major pyrotechnic manufacturer in Germany with a total of 280 employees. Competitors include fireworks dealers Nico from Berlin, Comet from Bremerhaven; In Freiberg (Saxony) there is another small producer, FKF GmbH.
In the fireworks industry, companies provide retailers with a quantity that can be sold on the last three sales days of the year. What is not sold goes back to the fireworks companies.
Criticism of fireworks
Environmentalists are critical of fireworks because they release particulate matter and create waste. Weco says it has largely switched from plastic to paper and cardboard to minimize plastic waste. Animal rights activists in turn warn of the consequences of the noise and fireworks for birds and wild animals, which are startled and injured or whose hibernation is disturbed.
Source: Krone
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