👉 ePallet Monthly Pallet Market Update | August 2026

PALLET MARKET UPDATE

August Market Highlights:

Pallet costs are increasingly being shaped by supply availability—not simply overall lumber demand.

• Hardwood has mill/logging constraints.

• Softwood has production curtailments and fewer low grades.

• Recycled has tight quality-core availability.

GREETINGS FROM ePALLET, INC.!

As summer winds down, the pallet market continues to remind us that supply conditions can be just as important as demand. This month, we're seeing tighter availability across hardwood, softwood and recycled pallet markets, with lumber production, quality core availability and transportation costs all influencing the landscape.

In our August Market Update, we break down what we're seeing, what it could mean for your pallet program, and why understanding the data behind your pallet is becoming increasingly important—from cost and performance to traceability and evolving documentation requirements.

At ePallet, we believe a strong pallet partner should bring more than product and price to the table. We hope this month's update provides useful insight as you evaluate your pallet needs and plan ahead. Have a pallet challenge or opportunity you'd like to explore? Our team would be happy to connect.

Your ePallet, Inc. Team

info@epalletinc.com | 1-888-805-9670

HARDWOOD PALLET MARKET

Supply Constraints Keep Upward Pressure on Pallet Lumber

Hardwood pallet lumber continues to face upward price pressure as supply conditions tighten across several regions. Mill closures and reduced logging activity are limiting available material, with the effects becoming increasingly noticeable across the Northeast and Midwest. PPW reports tight-to-average log and lumber availability in the Midwest, while hardwood cant pricing continues to show pockets of upward movement.

The Hardwood Cant Composite reached $593, compared with $576 last quarter and $562 one year ago—an increase of approximately 5.5% year over year. The underlying story is less about surging demand and more about reduced production capacity and constrained supply.

For pallet buyers, this means hardwood pricing may remain firm even in a mixed economic environment. Availability, regional sourcing and transportation costs will continue to influence delivered pallet costs.

Customer Takeaway:

Hardwood supply remains the key watchpoint. Continued mill closures and reduced logging activity could keep pallet-grade material tight and prices elevated, particularly across the Midwest and Northeast.

Pallet Profile Weekly & Random Lengths, August 14, 2026

SOFTWOOD PALLET MARKET

Lumber Is Softening—but Pallet Grades Remain Tight

The softwood market presents an interesting contrast this month. Broader framing lumber markets have begun showing signs of price moderation, but pallet-grade and low-grade lumber remain comparatively tight.

The reason? Mill curtailments and closures have reduced overall lumber production. At the same time, mills continue to optimize production toward higher-value grades, limiting the amount of #3 and #4 material commonly used in pallet manufacturing.

PPW's composites illustrate how much softwood costs have moved over the past year. Douglas Fir increased from $232 a year ago to $345 currently, while SPF moved from $293 to $399.

This distinction is important for pallet customers: falling lumber futures or softer framing lumber prices do not necessarily translate immediately into lower pallet costs. The grades, dimensions and regional supplies used to manufacture pallets operate within their own supply-and-demand dynamics.

Customer Takeaway:

Don't let falling headline lumber prices tell the whole story. Reduced mill production and tight low-grade availability continue to support pallet-lumber costs even as portions of the broader softwood market soften.

Sources: Pallet Profile Weekly, Random Lengths + ePallet Market Insights

On Our Radar: ePallet continues to monitor Canadian softwood lumber trade developments, including upcoming antidumping and countervailing duty decisions, along with evolving U.S. housing policy for potential impacts on lumber supply, pricing and pallet demand.

ePallet Market Insight:

As new pallet costs rise, quality recycled pallets can offer meaningful savings—but tight core supply makes dependable sourcing increasingly important.

Did You Know? There’s More Data Behind a Pallet Than You Think

A wooden pallet may look simple, but every pallet represents a collection of data points that can impact cost, performance, safety and sustainability.

Why does the data matter?

When these factors are evaluated together, a pallet becomes more than a shipping platform—it becomes an opportunity to improve performance, reduce unnecessary cost and make smarter supply-chain decisions.

As pallet requirements become more complex—from wood declaration requests and material traceability to evolving regulations such as the EU PPWR—having the right pallet partner matters.

ePallet works with customers to understand the data behind their pallets, provide the information needed to support documentation requests, and help navigate changing supply-chain requirements.

The right pallet. The right data. The right partner.

Let ePallet help you turn pallet data into smarter decisions across your supply chain.