U.S.: Market for Wood Containers and Pallets 2025

Market Size for Wood Containers and Pallets in the U.S.

The U.S. wood container and pallet market rose markedly to $X in 2021, growing by 7.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the period from 2013 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Wood container and pallet consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Production of Wood Containers and Pallets in the U.S.

In value terms, wood container and pallet production totaled $X in 2021. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% from 2013 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports of Wood Containers and Pallets

Exports from the U.S.

In 2021, approx. X units of wood containers and pallets were exported from the United States; jumping by 28% on the year before. Overall, total exports indicated a notable expansion from 2013 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last eight years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +33.5% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 43%. The exports peaked at X units in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, wood container and pallet exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2013 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mexico (X units), Canada (X units) and France (X units) were the main destinations of wood container and pallet exports from the United States, with a combined 61% share of total exports. South Korea, Australia, Chile, Spain, the UK, Japan and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2013 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Australia (with a CAGR of +28.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($X), Mexico ($X) and the UK ($X) were the largest markets for wood container and pallet exported from the United States worldwide, with a combined 53% share of total exports. Japan, South Korea, Spain, France, Germany, Australia and Chile lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Among the main countries of destination, Spain, with a CAGR of +15.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average wood container and pallet export price stood at $X per unit in 2021, with a decrease of -14% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 42% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Chile ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+15.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Wood Containers and Pallets

Imports into the U.S.

In 2021, overseas purchases of wood containers and pallets increased by 26% to X units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2013 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last eight-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +123.0% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 77% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, wood container and pallet imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2013 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X units) constituted the largest wood container and pallet supplier to the United States, accounting for a 57% share of total imports. Moreover, wood container and pallet imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Canada (X units), sixfold. France (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.6% share.

From 2013 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to +6.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (-3.1% per year) and France (-2.9% per year).

In value terms, France ($X), Canada ($X) and China ($X) constituted the largest wood container and pallet suppliers to the United States, with a combined 73% share of total imports. Mexico, India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Honduras lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

Cambodia, with a CAGR of +139.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average wood container and pallet import price stood at $X per unit in 2021, falling by -8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 24% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2020 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per unit), while the price for Honduras ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+19.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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