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

Earlier Report Observations

The wooden pallet market in Czechia contracted between 2018 and 2020: market volume fell from 22 million units to 14.4 million units, while production declined from 30.9 million to 26.8 million units. Imports and exports also decreased, reflecting an overall market reduction.

After 2020, imports fluctuated, peaking at 16.7 million units in 2023 before declining, while exports rose to 31.8 million units in 2025. The increase in timber and energy prices in 2022 raised production costs, encouraging the use of repaired pallets. Simultaneously, capacity expansion by manufacturers such as DŘEVOTRADING helped boost export volumes.

From 2023 onward, the market prepared for the EUDR regulation, which mandates proof of sustainable timber sourcing from 2025/2026. This spurred interest in alternative materials, but wooden pallets retained advantages due to reparability and environmental friendliness, while technological innovations in logistics and a focus on sustainability continued to shape development.

Production wooden pallets and load boards in Czechia

In kind, 2018-2021, K unit

Czechia's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 26 833 thousand units, marking a moderate decrease of 8.4% compared to 2019. Over the three-year period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 13.1%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K unit

Exports wooden pallets and load boards from Czechia

Exports in kind, K unit

After two years of decline, Czechia's exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars rebounded in 2021. The country shipped 27 097 thousand units, representing a 6.8% increase from 2020. Exports had reached their lowest point in 2020 at 25 381 thousand units, with the largest drop of 4.4% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K unit

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Austria, and Slovakia were the key export partners for Czechia in terms of volume. Germany accounted for 67.2% of exports, Austria for 9.1%, and Slovakia for 4.9%. Together, these three countries made up 81.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of losses, Czechia's export value for wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars surged in 2021. Exports totaled 296.4 million US dollars, a dramatic increase of 58.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 44.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 187.3 million US dollars, when exports saw their largest decline of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Austria, and Slovakia consistently remained the top destinations for Czechia's exports in value terms. Germany held 65.6% of export value, Austria 10.3%, and Slovakia 5.0%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 80.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports wooden pallets and load boards to Czechia

Imports in kind, K unit

After a two-year decrease, Czechia's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars increased slightly in 2021. The country imported 13 160 thousand units, up 1.5% from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 26.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.9%. Imports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 12 966 thousand units, when the largest drop of 16.8% was recorded.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K unit

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Germany, and Slovakia were the primary sources for Czechia's imports in volume. Poland contributed 55.1% of imports, Germany 12.0%, and Slovakia 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented 78.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Czechia's import value for wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars rose sharply in 2021, reaching approximately 128.1 million US dollars. This marked a significant increase of 65.8% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 55.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.8%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 77.3 million US dollars, when imports experienced their largest decline of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Poland, Germany, and Slovakia stood out as the main markets for Czechia's imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 51.4% of import value, Germany for 16.8%, and Slovakia for 9.6%. Collectively, these three markets made up 77.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021