Fireworks prices are on the rise across the country under President Joe Biden, meaning that partygoers will experience less of a bang for the price this July 4th weekend than they expected.
The overall cost of fireworks rose 35 percent, according to an April report from the American Pyrotechnic Association (APA), which represents the consumer fireworks industry.
The report attributes rising costs across the country to rising costs of raw materials, shipping and transportation, and the insurance and labor required to make fireworks.
Stephen Pelkey, president of the association and owner of a fireworks shop in New Hampshire, said this. America Today this increased the labor cost in his shop. He noticed that most of the salespeople in his store were making $15 to $18 an hour, while four years ago they were making $12 to $15 an hour.
The APA noted that inflation in several areas affected the fireworks industry, including:
- Material and raw material prices increased by about 20 percent.
- Shipping costs have increased from about $8-10,000 per container to about $45,000 per container, resulting in a nearly 50 percent increase in product prices.
- Insurance rates were increased in product, vehicle, truck and dangerous goods liability insurance.
- Transportation costs are rising. Countywide, the average price per gallon of gasoline exceeded $5 for the first time in June.
- Operating and labor costs have increased.
- Domestic transportation and rental rates skyrocketed.
Local media across the country are reporting shortages and rising prices as Americans buy fireworks for Independence Day.
- “Two years ago, when you bought a box of fireworks… shipping a box of fireworks cost about $7,000. This year. That’s about 30 to 40,000 depending on,” said a KIFI distributor in Idaho.
- “Davey Fireworks delivers their fireworks in and out of the country, and the shipping cost is nearly tripled. As a result, fireworks that customers could have purchased for around $27 three years ago are now $55,” says Nebraska-based KOLN.
- “A few years ago, maybe two or three years ago, you could probably get a really good show for $100-$120,” said LB Hudson, owner of KFSM Mega Mega Fireworks of Arkansas. “Now you’re probably looking for $180 to $200 to show this show to you and your family.”
- “Probably about 10-15% this year, probably 10% more than last year’s growth,” Skip Clinton, executive operator of Wholesale Fireworks, told KYW-TV in Pennsylvania. “So you’re talking about 25% over the last few years.”
- “The cost of some fireworks will go up more than 70 percent this year,” Texas-based KFOX-TV said.
- Jimmy Nevares, who owns more than 30 fireworks stands, told KCNC in Colorado: “Inflation is rising, prices of fireworks have continued to rise over the last two to three years and are up another 30 percent this year.”
America Today He also noted that the cancellation of public fireworks over the past two years during the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to the sale of fireworks for home use for two consecutive years.
Source: Breitbart
