Wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards and pallet collars market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian wooden pallet market volume increased from 19 171 thousand units in 2018 to 23 631 thousand units in 2021. This growth was initially supported by major investments in pallet repair automation, such as CHEP's $240 million commitment in 2018, which improved the efficiency and availability of refurbished pallets. After a contraction in 2020, the market rebounded sharply in 2021.

From 2022 to 2024, the market navigated a shifting landscape. Weak construction activity pressured demand for wood products, while rising timber prices and raw material scarcity increased production costs. Simultaneously, retail and e-commerce fulfillment drove sustained pallet demand. A key structural change occurred when Rail Cargo Austria was surprised by EPAL's termination of the pallet exchange agreement, affecting the national pallet pool system.

Production wooden pallets and load boards in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 91.2 million US dollars, marking a modest 9.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Production had increased by 11% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 100.5 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 15.8% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Austria's production volume of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars fell after two years of improvement. In 2020, 10 730 thousand units were produced, down 7.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 24.8%, equating to an average annual rate of 7.7%. The highest volume was reached in 2019 with 11 598 thousand units, and the largest increase of 22.8% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports wooden pallets and load boards from Austria

Exports in kind, K unit

Austria's exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined in 2020, with cross-border shipments totaling 5 672 thousand units, a 7.0% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 10.6%, averaging 3.4% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 5 124 thousand units, while the peak was in 2019 at 6 099 thousand units, which also saw the largest increase of 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy were the primary destinations for Austria's exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars in kind. Germany accounted for 33.8% of exports, Switzerland for 15.0%, and Italy for 10.7%, together making up 59.5% of total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Austria's exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars decreased after two years of growth. In 2020, export value reached 42.4 million US dollars, down 7.0% from the previous year. Over the period 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 18.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 45.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy were the largest buyers of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars from Austria in value terms. Germany represented 33.9% of exports, Switzerland 15.0%, and Italy 10.7%, collectively forming 59.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020

Imports wooden pallets and load boards to Austria

Imports in kind, K unit

Austria's import volume of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined after two years of gains. In 2020, imports stood at 14 904 thousand units, a 4.0% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 15 519 thousand units, and the largest increase of 13.0% occurred that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Over the period 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Czechia were the main sources for Austria's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars in kind. Germany contributed 43.3% of imports, Poland 15.5%, and Czechia 14.4%, together accounting for 73.3% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Austria's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars fell after two years of growth. In 2020, import value was 107.6 million US dollars, showing a moderate 8.1% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 117.0 million US dollars, and the largest increase of 17.2% took place in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Czechia were the largest suppliers of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars to Austria in value terms. Germany made up 43.3% of imports, Poland 15.5%, and Czechia 14.4%, together forming 73.2% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020