Ireland hosted the annual summer meeting of the Christmas Tree Growers Council of Europe for the first time since 2012 last week.

Almost 100 growers and buyers from Denmark, Germany, the UK, Austria, Norway and other member countries attended the three-day event from 6 to 8 July.

The meeting was based at the Mount Wolseley Hotel, Tullow, Co Carlow.

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The annual event rotates each year among the council’s 14 member countries and gives growers the opportunity to share research, promote growing methods and build partnerships in sales and marketing.

Delegates visited three leading Irish producers, including Valley Christmas Trees in Wexford, Mountain View Christmas Tree Farm near Avoca and Kavanaghs Real Christmas Tree Farm in Newtownmountkennedy.

All three farms are now fully sold out for the coming season, while demand is expected to remain strong in the coming years.

Many visitors have extended their stay or plan to return in the coming months to complete deals with other Irish producers.

Ireland produces approximately 750,000 marketable Christmas trees each year.

Around 450,000 are sold on the home market, with the remainder exported to the UK and Europe.

Almost 80% are sold to British customers.

Irish welcome

Delegates also visited attractions across Carlow, Wicklow and Wexford, including the Avondale Tree Top Walk and Avoca Handweavers.

The event received support from Bord Bia, the horticultural export authority and Carlow tourism.

The Christmas Tree Growers Council of Europe is set to hold its 2027 summer meeting in Belgium.