Procurement Market Intelligence Report

Wood Pallets
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Wood Pallets Global Overview

Definition

Summary

Wood pallets are material handling equipment used to move loads and are designed to allow efficient handling with tools such as forklifts, front loaders, and pallet jacks. Wood pallets are made from sawmill softwood or hardwood lumber and are primarily supplied by manufacturers. Key buyers include manufacturers, wholesalers, and food and beverage producers.

This Report Includes:

Wood Skids
Wood Stringer Pallets
Wood Block Pallets

Not in this Report:

Plastic Pallets
Metal Pallets
Paper Pallets
Wood Composite (Strand Board & Plywood) Pallets

Classification:

Global Wood Pallets Procurement Trends

Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Wood Pallets market.

Warning Trends

Reciprocal tariffs drive up packaging product prices

The Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which apply general tariff rate increases to all products imported from most nations, are set to take effect on August 7 after the national tariff rates were finalized on August 1. Additionally, 50.0% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, except those from the United Kingdom, went into effect in June.
These tariffs will have a significant effect across the packaging industry as the United States imports a combined total of more than $127 billion worth of plastic, steel, and lumber annually, the three most common materials in packaging products.
Leading packaging product importers include Canada, Mexico, and China, which face tariff rates of 35.0%, 25.0%, and 20.0%, respectively, with the Chinese import tariff rate set to rise to 54.0% in August. However, United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA)-originating goods, meaning those produced entirely in Canada or Mexico, are exempt from these tariffs.
China accounts for 48.6% of imported plastic products in the United States, making current and upcoming tariffs on Chinese goods particularly impactful for the price of plastic packaging materials, which the Yale Budget Lab projects will rise in price by 11.0%.
Likewise, Canada and Mexico provide a combined 51.6% of lumber imports, driving a 6.8% increase in the price of wooden products. Steel and aluminum tariffs are projected to fuel a 39.2% increase in the cost of metal packaging products on average.

The European Commission is proposing the European Supply Chain Act

Early in 2022, the European Commission (EC) proposed a new law that would impact supply chains throughout the European Union (EU).
The law consists of provisions requiring companies to identify current and potential negative impacts on human rights and the environment throughout their supply chain and to mitigate these risks.
Businesses will have to investigate all links of their supply chain, upstream and downstream, and adjust their supply chain to ensure labor rights and environmental standards are not being violated as a result of their operations over the course of two years.
While many countries have their own national laws similar to the one being proposed by the EC, such as Germany’s German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, this proposed law supersedes national laws and is stricter in most cases.

Neutral

Inflation climbs above 3.0% for the first time in seven months

In January, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) 12-month inflation rate, the most commonly used measure of inflation, rose by 0.1% to 3.0%, the highest it has been since June 2024.
This uptick in inflation follows cuts to interest rates which may have added to consumer demand, fueling higher consumer prices.
Additionally, the threat of impending tariff hikes has driven preemptive stockpiling by importers, adding to demand and price growth across a range of industries in the United States.
While inflation is still low relative to previous years, sustained recent increases in inflation and the potential effects of tariffs, such as the recently implemented 10.0% on all Chinese goods, mean prices are still rising at a faster-than-normal pace.

Global Wood Pallets Market - Suppliers by Region

Country/Region	Number of Suppliers
#1 India	28,275
#2 Oceania & Southeast Asia	19,330
#3 Europe	16,000

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Canada
United States
Mexico
Latin America

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Geography Drilldown - US, Canada & Europe

Average Cost of Wood Pallets

United States

2026 Market Pricing

$10.00 to $XXX.XX

per pallet

Canada

Europe

Average Price

Prices in the Wood Pallets market range from $10.00 to $XXX.XX, depending on Pallet Structure, Pallet Treatment, Lumber Quality, Use of Recycled Materials and Volume. For example, lower prices are associated with Two-way stringer pallet ($10.00 to $60.00 per pallet), whereas higher prices are associated with Four-way block pallet ($50.00 to $118 per pallet).

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Between our Europe and Canada collections, we provide price data for 350 markets so you can instantly compare prices across borders. Or, use our custom research services for intel on prices in any region across the globe.

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Wood Pallets Category Price Trends

Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Wood Pallets market, prices in the US have declined -0.3% from 2022 to 2025. and --0.4% in Europe.

United States (2022-2025)

-0.3%

Compound Annual Growth Rate

Canada (2021-2024)

2.5%

Compound Annual Growth Rate

Europe (2022-2025)

-0.4%

Compound Annual Growth Rate

Wondering where prices are heading?

Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.

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Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Wood Pallets

Total cost of ownership is Medium in the Wood Pallets market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs. For example, unforeseen costs in the form of Restocking may raise the total cost of ownership unexpectedly.

Negotiated Before

Transportation

Transportation costs are expensive and can be mitigated if buyers purchase significant quantities, thus decreasing per-unit freight costs.

Billed During

Storage

Storage and handling costs are also major factors that generate ownership expenses. Pallets can fail early if boards warp, cup, twist, or split at the nails.

Handling

Buyers should select suppliers within a 150-mile radius to ensure quick order turnaround, on-time delivery, and reduced freight costs.

Disposal

Once they've reached the end of their useful lives, pallets may require recycling or disposal fees. Improperly disposed of pallets may become an environmental hazard.

Unforeseen

Restocking

If buyers place too much emphasis on lower-cost products and ignore quality considerations, they can face additional pallet repair and replacement costs. Splinters and exposed screws on older pallets may also pose safety risks.

Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations

In 2026, buyer power amounts to -0.8 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Price Driver Volatility. It is most negatively impacted by Market Share Concentration. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more