Demand for New Year’s Eve fireworks in Germany is on the rise, despite mounting criticism from various groups advocating for stricter regulations. According to WECO, the country’s largest fireworks manufacturer, the availability of rockets, firecrackers, and other pyrotechnics in shops this year is approximately 10% higher than in 2022. Rival manufacturer COMET has also reported a moderate increase in supply, indicating a trend of growing interest in fireworks as part of the New Year’s celebrations.
Increased Supply Amid Controversy
The German Association of the Pyrotechnics Industry forecasts even greater availability across the sector, continuing a trend seen in recent years. Fireworks can be sold in Germany from December 29 to 31, and while unsold items are typically returned to manufacturers, WECO noted that the return rate last year was lower than expected. With a turnover exceeding €136 million (approximately $160 million) in the 2023-24 financial year, WECO remains the largest domestic producer, employing around 260 staff in Eitorf and Kiel. Notably, WECO only manufactures 15% of its fireworks domestically, with the remainder imported primarily from China.
Klaus Gotzen, head of the pyrotechnics sector association, has observed a growing trend toward combined fireworks, which involve a single fuse triggering multiple fireworks for a sustained display lasting several minutes. This innovation reflects an evolving consumer preference within the fireworks market.
Public Sentiment and Environmental Concerns
Despite the surge in demand, fireworks have become a contentious issue in Germany. Many citizens express irritation at the noise and chaos associated with fireworks, particularly animal welfare and environmental activists. Animals, including birds, are often frightened by the explosions, leading to increased energy expenditure that can threaten their survival during winter months. In urban areas like Berlin, the New Year’s Eve celebrations have been likened to war zones, with debris and waste generated by fireworks drawing criticism from environmental groups.
Supporters of a fireworks ban include the GdP police union, which has raised concerns about police officers facing aggression from individuals using fireworks irresponsibly. The debate has been complicated by the inability of the interior ministers from Germany’s 16 states to reach a consensus on a ban. Recently, a court overturned a prohibition on private firework displays on the North Sea island of Föhr.
Oliver Gerstmeier, head of sales at WECO, interprets the rising demand as evidence that a significant majority of the public does not support a ban on fireworks. He stated, “Ringing in the New Year with a colourful firework is a beautiful thing for many people. One should respect that instead of discrediting it with repeated debates on a ban.”
The fireworks industry contends that pyrotechnics are an integral aspect of New Year’s celebrations in Germany, and the increasing demand underscores a desire among the populace to continue this tradition. According to the industry association, issues tied to fireworks are primarily caused by “only a small number of troublemakers and rioters in a few major cities.”
