BLS data through September 2026
Lumber and pallets
Indexed to 100 in January 2019 so all three fit on one scale. In our analysis of BLS data since 2007, lumber moves tend to show up in pallet prices within one to three months. Look at 2021: softwood lumber spiked first and fell back by that fall, while pallet prices kept climbing until mid-2022.
Pallet PPI
+7.7%
+2.9% in 3 months
12-month change to Sep 2026
Hardwood lumber
+1.3%
−1.3% in 3 months
12-month change to Sep 2026
Softwood lumber
+14.2%
+2.1% in 3 months
12-month change to Sep 2026
Pallets vs. lumber, indexed (Jan 2019 = 100)
BLS producer price indexes WPU084101, WPU0812, WPU0811
- Pallets
- Hardwood lumber
- Softwood lumber
Show data table
| Month | Pallets | Hardwood lumber | Softwood lumber |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09 | 130 | 126 | 138 |
| 2026-08 | 128 | 127 | 141 |
| 2026-07 | 128 | 128 | 144 |
| 2026-06 | 126 | 128 | 135 |
| 2026-05 | 124 | 128 | 136 |
| 2026-04 | 124 | 128 | 135 |
| 2026-03 | 122 | 127 | 128 |
| 2026-02 | 121 | 127 | 129 |
| 2026-01 | 121 | 126 | 124 |
| 2025-12 | 121 | 126 | 120 |
| 2025-11 | 121 | 125 | 120 |
| 2025-10 | 121 | 125 | 120 |
| 2025-09 | 120 | 125 | 121 |
Freight
Delivered pallet prices carry the truck. Diesel and long-haul truckload rates do not change the pallet, but they change your quote.
Diesel
+115.2%
+42.1% in 3 months
12-month change to Sep 2026
Truckload freight
+17.9%
+10.8% in 3 months
12-month change to Sep 2026
No. 2 diesel fuel
BLS WPU057303, monthly
Show data table
| Month | Diesel |
|---|---|
| 2026-09 | 676 |
| 2026-08 | 544 |
| 2026-07 | 464 |
| 2026-06 | 476 |
| 2026-05 | 581 |
| 2026-04 | 494 |
| 2026-03 | 437 |
| 2026-02 | 316 |
| 2026-01 | 267 |
| 2025-12 | 273 |
| 2025-11 | 332 |
| 2025-10 | 299 |
| 2025-09 | 314 |
Long-distance truckload freight
BLS PCU484121484121, monthly
Show data table
| Month | Truckload freight |
|---|---|
| 2026-09 | 219 |
| 2026-08 | 210 |
| 2026-07 | 203 |
| 2026-06 | 198 |
| 2026-05 | 203 |
| 2026-04 | 201 |
| 2026-03 | 191 |
| 2026-02 | 183 |
| 2026-01 | 181 |
| 2025-12 | 181 |
| 2025-11 | 189 |
| 2025-10 | 185 |
| 2025-09 | 186 |
Pallet makers
The industry index covers everything wood container and pallet plants sell, not just pallets. It confirms the trend from a second angle.
Wood container and pallet manufacturing (industry)
BLS PCU321920321920, monthly
Show data table
| Month | Pallet makers |
|---|---|
| 2026-09 | 197 |
| 2026-08 | 194 |
| 2026-07 | 194 |
| 2026-06 | 191 |
| 2026-05 | 189 |
| 2026-04 | 189 |
| 2026-03 | 184 |
| 2026-02 | 183 |
| 2026-01 | 183 |
| 2025-12 | 181 |
| 2025-11 | 181 |
| 2025-10 | 182 |
| 2025-09 | 181 |