ePallet Briefing

👉 ePallet Monthly Pallet Market Update | July 2026

PALLET MARKET UPDATE July Newsletter Highlights: * Hardwood & Softwood Market Trends * Recycled Pallet Market * Did you know? Weather & Lumber Markets Learn more about ePallet, Inc. July…

View this email in your browser

PALLET MARKET UPDATE

July Newsletter Highlights:

Hardwood & Softwood Market Trends
Recycled Pallet Market
Did you know? Weather & Lumber Markets

Learn more about ePallet, Inc.

July 2026

GREETINGS FROM ePALLET, INC.!

As our industry continues to evolve, some things never change. For nearly 30 years, ePallet has remained committed to the values that matter most to our customers—reliability, quality, responsiveness, and trust. While market conditions, lumber prices, and supply chain challenges continue to shift, our focus remains the same: delivering dependable pallet solutions and serving as a trusted partner.

We look forward to the opportunity to learn more about your business and explore how ePallet can support your operation.

Your ePallet, Inc. Team

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

Lumber & Pallet Market Update

SOFTWOOD MARKET WATCH

Trade Update

Proposed 50% tariffs on several Canadian wood products are scheduled to take effect August 19.
Softwood lumber and OSB remain exempt from the proposal.
No immediate disruption to pallet lumber availability is expected.

Market Conditions

Framing lumber prices remain well above year-ago levels.
Limited production continues to support softwood lumber pricing.
Pallet lumber costs are expected to remain relatively firm.

What We're Watching

Final implementation details of the proposed Canadian tariffs.
Mill production levels and softwood lumber availability.
Transportation costs and broader supply chain impacts.

Pallet Profile Weekly & Random Lengths, July 24, 2026

REGIONAL HARDWOOD MARKET UDPATE

Southern Region

Market confidence has improved compared to last month following a wave of sawmill closures.
Large commercial construction projects are supporting demand for mat timbers and board road products.
While diesel prices have eased recently, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty continues to create concerns about future transportation costs.

Market Outlook: Demand is stabilizing, but transportation costs remain an important factor to watch.

Appalachian Region

Hardwood lumber production increased more than 20% in June compared to May, reflecting improved mill activity.
Production gains contributed to stronger regional lumber availability.
While lumber availability has improved, increasing demand continues to support higher hardwood lumber costs in select markets.

Market Outlook: Higher production is helping supply, although localized price increases continue.

Northern Region

Hardwood pricing continued to move higher across both the Northern and Eastern markets during July.
Additional sawmill closures have further reduced regional production capacity.
Suppliers expect hardwood prices to remain under upward pressure through August as supply remains constrained.

Market Outlook: Tight supply conditions continue to support firm hardwood pricing.

Eastern Region

Hardwood production continues to recover gradually, with mills increasing output while maintaining disciplined production levels.
Current production remains below peak 2021–2022 levels, helping prevent oversupply.
Improving market conditions are supporting a more balanced supply environment.

Market Outlook: Customers should expect gradual upward pressure on pallet pricing as lumber and transportation costs continue to increase.

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

Cost, availability, and freight are now moving together—requiring proactive planning.

Have questions about how these market changes may impact your pallet program? Connect with your ePallet representative to review pricing, supply planning, and optimization strategies.

Recycled Pallet Market

ePallet Market Insight:

Warehouse automation is increasing demand for Grade A and Premium recycled pallets, making quality cores more valuable than ever.

Recycled Pallet Market Update: Quality Demand Continues to Drive the Market

While much of the industry's attention remains on lumber costs and new pallet pricing, the recycled pallet market continues to be shaped by strong demand for higher-quality pallets and limited availability of premium pallet cores.

As more warehouses adopt automation and advanced material handling systems, companies are placing greater emphasis on pallet consistency, durability, and performance.

What's Happening?

• Demand for Grade A and Premium recycled pallets continues to grow across many industries.

• Retailers and distribution centers are holding higher-quality pallet cores longer, reducing the supply available to recyclers.

• Competition for premium cores remains strong, while higher labor, transportation, and lumber costs continue to pressure recyclers' operating costs.

Why It Matters

Automated warehouses require pallets with consistent dimensions and structural integrity to minimize equipment downtime and improve operational efficiency. At the same time, limited availability of quality cores makes it more difficult for recyclers to meet this growing demand, contributing to firmer recycled pallet pricing.

Market Outlook

Demand for Grade A and Premium recycled pallets is expected to remain strong as automation continues to expand throughout manufacturing and distribution operations. With quality core supplies remaining constrained and production costs elevated, recycled pallet prices are expected to remain firm in the months ahead.

Source: Recycle Record, June 2026

Did You Know? Weather Is One of the Biggest Drivers of Lumber Markets

The U.S. Southeast produces a substantial share of the nation's softwood lumber, making hurricanes in that region an important factor to watch for future lumber availability and pricing.

Summer weather doesn't just affect travel—it can influence the availability and cost of pallet lumber for weeks or even months.

Across North America, weather continues to shape timber and lumber markets. Active wildfires in Canada have affected forest operations in several timber-producing regions, while parts of the U.S. have experienced hazardous heat, flash flooding, severe storms, and elevated wildfire potential. As hurricane season ramps up, tropical systems also have the potential to disrupt timber harvesting, damage forest resources, delay sawmill production, and interrupt transportation throughout the U.S. Southeast—a key region for softwood lumber production.

Because hardwood and softwood logs must be harvested and transported before they reach the sawmill, disruptions anywhere along the supply chain can reduce the flow of raw material into lumber production. While the impact isn't always immediate, prolonged weather events can tighten lumber availability and contribute to firmer pricing later in the season.

ePallet Insight: Our Monthly Pallet Market Update combines industry news, supplier insights, and market trends to help customers understand the factors that influence pallet lumber availability and pricing.

Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – National Centers for Environmental Information, June 2026 U.S. Climate Summary; National Weather Service – Weather Prediction Center, U.S. Hazards Outlook and Extended Forecast Discussions;

National Hurricane Center (NOAA) – 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook and Tropical Weather Outlooks; Government of Canada – 2026 Wildfire Season: July Update; Reuters – Wildfires spread in Western Canada as temperatures rise, lightning strikes (July 24, 2026).