So much has the sales of fireworks decreased

This year is the first year without stick rockets. In addition, it has been almost 20 years since firefighters were banned on January 1, 2002.

Swedish Fireworks industry for no annual statistics but according to Chairman Erik Nilsson, who has sold firecrackers and rockets for over 30 years, sales have fallen by 20 percent since the turn of the millennium. In pure numbers, we are talking about a decrease from SEK 200 million to about SEK 160 million annually.

- At the turn of the millennium, it was sold a lot, then it has gone down. Then we talk about consumer products, ”says Erik Nilsson.

Is it a tough industry?

- You don't cut gold with counting discs if I say so, it's a really tough industry. At the same time, we have seen increased competition over the last 35-40 years.

Has the ban on firecrackers affected sales?

- Not so much, but it is clear that it is a market share that disappeared. Now we have the first New Year without rockets on stick, it is the biggest change that has happened as long as I have been in the industry but it is difficult to say if it will affect sales, says Erik Nilsson and continues:

- At the same time, it is our own initiative. This is a risk we have taken but the situation was not sustainable.

Another change is that about 90 percent of the fireworks are used during the New Year. When Erik Nilsson entered the industry it was 40-50 percent instead.

- It has been shifted to New Year more and more. In the past, there has been a tradition of firefighters around Easter, among other things, but it's gone now.

At the same time, concerns about the illegal import of fireworks are increasing, ie smugglers.

- Much of what comes in that way is of a completely different caliber than the ones we had in Sweden before 2001. They are very powerful and should be handled by professionals. Now the customs have finally been mandated to stop things at the border so they have made a number of strikes.

According to Erik Nilsson, there have also been targeted campaigns against Sweden from fireworks vendors in other EU countries where the rules look different.

- You order it on the internet and then it is sent on the mail completely unmarked. Nobody knows what lies in and that is a risk. At the same time, Europol has taken a concerted action against this and we think it is positive.