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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Belgian wooden pallets market volume grew by 21% to 57.6 million units, driven by strong demand from industrial and logistics sectors, with local companies like bePallet and All Pallets actively promoting pallet recycling and reconditioning as part of a circular economy focus. This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and reduced economic activity, causing a 40% drop in volume to 34.4 million units; additional pressure came from Brexit, which required new ISPM 15 compliant pallets for exports to the UK.

The market recovered to 38.1 million units in 2021 amid robust global demand, particularly from China, which pushed softwood timber prices higher and strained production capacities across European sawmills. However, volume fell again to 31.7 million units in 2022 due to a severe shortage of softwood timber after the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia and Belarus—formerly key suppliers of up to a quarter of Europe’s pallet wood. High energy costs and a 10–12% increase in Belgium’s minimum wage further elevated manufacturing expenses during this period.

In 2023, market volume stabilized at around 30 million units as an economic slowdown in Belgium reduced timber production and consumption. Throughout the latter part of the period, the impending EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to take effect from late 2024, began shaping industry expectations by imposing stricter due‑diligence and traceability requirements on wood sourcing for pallets.

Production wooden pallets and load boards in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 270.3 million US dollars, marking a 6.0% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 322.9 million US dollars, which saw a 15.7% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with an 11.0% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Belgium's production volume of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 30,688 thousand units were produced, down 3.7% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 8.9%, averaging a 3.0% annual decrease. The peak was in 2018 with 35,361 thousand units, which represented a 5.0% increase. The most significant decline was in 2019, with a 9.9% drop.

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

Exports wooden pallets and load boards from Belgium

Exports in kind, K unit

Belgium exported 18,469 thousand units of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars in 2020, showing a solid uptick of 14.1% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 5.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 16,180 thousand units, which saw a 15.4% decline. The highest was in 2018 at 19,126 thousand units.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the top destinations for Belgium's exports in kind. France accounted for 54.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 24.3%, and Germany for 6.4%. Together, these three countries made up 84.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's export volume of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 137.4 million US dollars, which is 4.7% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.9%, with an annualized decline of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 168.0 million US dollars, which saw a 13.8% increase. The largest drop was in 2019, with a 14.1% decrease.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main destinations for Belgium's exports in value terms. France represented 55.5% of exports, the Netherlands 24.3%, and Germany 6.6%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 86.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wooden pallets and load boards to Belgium

Imports in kind, K unit

After a two-year advance, Belgium's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined. In 2020, approximately 22,167 thousand units were imported, which is 47.2% less than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.3%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The highest value was in 2019 at 41,958 thousand units, which saw a 34.2% increase.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the core markets for Belgium's imports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 33.4% of imports, Germany for 20.6%, and France for 11.9%. Together, these three countries represented 65.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year gain, Belgium's import volume of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined. In 2020, import volume stood at 165.4 million US dollars, corresponding to a strong drop of 12.7% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 189.4 million US dollars. The largest increase was in 2018, with a 19.6% rise.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France remained the leading destinations in Belgium's import structure in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 39.2% of imports, Germany for 18.6%, and France for 10.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 67.8% of total import flows.

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

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