holiday lighting

China exported US$1.8 billion worth of holiday-related articles including Christmas trees, holiday lightings and ornaments in the 10 months to October 2005. This is an increase of about 12 percent from shipments in the corresponding period of the previous year. Exports of holiday lightings accounted for US$823 million of total shipments in the period, registering year-on-year growth of 23 percent. The US is the largest importer of holiday-related products from China, absorbing US$821 million worth from January to October 2005. The EU follows closely with imports amounting to US$616 million in the same 10 month period. Prices of most China-made Christmas trees and holiday lightings are expected to increase in the next 6 to12 months due to a number of factors that have been increasing makers' operating expenses. The most critical of these is the rising cost of raw materials, particularly plastic, iron and steel.