Fireworks shortage driving prices up

LEONI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WILX) - Fireworks stores are expecting a lot of customers this summer, especially with several big local shows canceled. But the owners said you could pay more for your backyard fireworks display this year.

Right now, many shelves are full, but that could change by the end of the month. Stores across Mid-Michigan said they can’t nearly as many fireworks as they normally would.

“We’re only able to get about 50% of what we needed and that’s the whole united states,” said Mark Joseph, Sparky’s Fireworks Outlet owner.

Joseph said stores need to buy more fireworks this year because everyone sold out last year when most professional displays were canceled because of COVID.

“That left quite an empty pallet for the 2021 season,” he said.

But now, all the fireworks are coming from China and they are held up in the supply chain. Joseph said he expected some issues for this year, but nothing like this.

“We didn’t anticipate the price increases. I guess that’s the biggest shocker for us was the price increases and getting the product here,” said Joseph.

And those prices have to be passed on to the customer.

Joseph said most of the price increases were for fireworks with larger displays. That’s because it costs more to ship those than the smaller fireworks.

“Because of the limited selling time for fireworks in general, we can’t afford any additional costs whatsoever,” said Joseph.

Joseph said prices on smaller displays haven’t gone up much, if at all. He expects it will take a couple years before the fireworks inventory builds back up to pre-pandemic levels.

Some pop-up firework stands will not be able to open this year because of the supply chain issues.

Fireworks are allowed to be set off around certain holidays: