IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘U.S. Wood Container and Pallet Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the wood container and pallet market in the U.S. amounted to $10.7B in 2018, rising by 8.9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +10.2% from 2013 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 20% y-o-y. Wood container and pallet consumption peaked in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Production of Wood Container and Pallet in the U.S.

In value terms, wood container and pallet production stood at $10.5B in 2018. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +9.2% from 2013 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, wood container and pallet production attained its maximum level in 2018 and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Exports from the U.S.

In 2018, approx. 106K tonnes of wood container and pallet were exported from the U.S.; increasing by 7.7% against the previous year. In general, wood container and pallet exports continue to indicate a temperate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 134% year-to-year. Exports peaked at 334K tonnes in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, wood container and pallet exports totaled $200M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +9.7% over the period from 2013 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, wood container and pallet exports reached their maximum at $200M in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (48K tonnes) was the main destination for wood container and pallet exports from the U.S., accounting for a 45% share of total exports. Moreover, wood container and pallet exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Ireland (17K tonnes), threefold. Japan (14K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK amounted to -4.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ireland (+28.6% per year) and Japan (+25.9% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($77M) remains the key foreign market for wood container and pallet exports from the U.S., comprising 38% of total wood container and pallet exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Ireland ($31M), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 13% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ireland (+33.5% per year) and Japan (+31.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the average wood container and pallet export price amounted to $1,886 per tonne, rising by 1.7% against the previous year. In general, the wood container and pallet export price continues to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 93% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices for wood container and pallet attained their maximum in 2018 and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Spain ($2,620 per tonne), while the average price for exports to the UK ($1,617 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Philippines, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports into the U.S.

Wood container and pallet imports into the U.S. totaled 227K tonnes in 2018, picking up by 5.4% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2013 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 14% y-o-y. Imports peaked in 2018 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, wood container and pallet imports amounted to $376M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Overall, wood container and pallet imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 11% year-to-year. In that year, wood container and pallet imports reached their peak of $389M, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2018, France (159K tonnes) constituted the largest wood container and pallet supplier to the U.S., accounting for a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, wood container and pallet imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (32K tonnes), fivefold. Spain (6.2K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.7% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume from France was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+5.7% per year) and Spain (+57.9% per year).

In value terms, France ($218M) constituted the largest supplier of wood container and pallet to the U.S., comprising 58% of total wood container and pallet imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by China ($105M), with a 28% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 1% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of value from France was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-1.7% per year) and Brazil (+15.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average wood container and pallet import price stood at $1,659 per tonne in 2018, going down by -8.2% against the previous year. In general, the wood container and pallet import price continues to indicate a measured decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 18% against the previous year. In that year, the average import prices for wood container and pallet reached their peak level of $2,097 per tonne. From 2016 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average import prices for wood container and pallet remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was China ($3,254 per tonne), while the price for Spain ($388 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Companies Mentioned in the Report

Ifco Systems North America, Peco Pallet, Timber Creek Resource, Index Packaging, Palletone, Northwest Pallet Supply Co., Kamps, The Pallet Factory Inc, Atlas Global Solutions, Buckeye Diamond Logistics, Southwest Forest Products, Independent Stave Company, Elberta Crate & Box Co., Edwards Wood Products, American Fibertech Corporation, Hinton Lumber Products, Wisconsin Box Company, Nefab Packaging, Madison County Wood Products, Supply Chain Solutions, Satco, Commercial Lumber & Pallet Co., Crimstone AAA Operating Company, Wooden Pallets, Missouri Cooperage Company

Source: IndexBox AI Platform