Canada's trade minister on Friday predicted a rise in Christmas tree exports this season, amid reported shortages in the United States.
America's northern neighbor is known for producing bushy, winter-resilient firs, pines and spruces, ideal for decoration during the holiday season.
"Christmas trees represent a key export for Canada," Trade Minister Ed Fast said in a statement.
"Following a decrease in demand for Canadian Christmas trees during the recession in the United States in 2008 and 2009, Canadian tree exports are on the rise, especially due to a Christmas tree shortage in the United States."
Canada is the world's largest exporter of Christmas trees, according to the government. In 2013, it shipped over 1.5 million Christmas trees worth Can$28 million ($24 million) to the United States, Japan and other countries.
The shortage of trees looming in the United States -- which some growers dispute -- is blamed on a dwindling number of local tree farms, severe weather that damaged crops and a spike in demand.
According to the US National Christmas Tree Association, Americans bought just over 33 million Christmas trees last year, up from 24 million in 2012.
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