You’re not going to get as much bang for your buck when it comes to fireworks this Fourth of July.
Sharply higher transportation costs and supply-chain issues have hit the fireworks industry, and that’s resulting in a 35% increase in overall costs. And one major distributor says prices this year are nearly double what they were in 2019.
The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA), which represents the fireworks industry, says shipping costs have exploded in recent years, jumping from $8,000 to $10,000 per container in 2019 to approximately $45,000 per container today. Transportation and labor costs are higher as well—and that’s assuming companies can find a vehicle to move the M80s and sparklers to retail locations.
“Due to the supply-chain crisis, the fireworks industry is competing with corporations like FedEx and Amazon to meet the high seasonal demands associated with Independence Day and other summer festivals, with limited rental companies and an increased demand,” the APA said in a statement. “Just like empty car dealership lots due to lack of computer chips, truck rental companies also are dealing with a four- to six-month backlog waiting for cargo boxes to be mounted on truck chassis.”
That means higher prices. Phantom Fireworks, a chain with locations from Nevada to Maine, has boosted its prices roughly 30% higher than a year ago.
The good news is that even with the supply-chain issues, fireworks dealers expect to have more inventory on hand for consumers than last year (when they were entirely unprepared for the demand). And the higher prices aren’t scaring away customers.
Americans are expected to spend $2.3 billion on fireworks this year, an average of $200 per family.