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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Finnish market for wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars grew steadily, with volume rising from 9.7 million units to 9.9 million units. This expansion was supported by continuous forest industry investments and production capacity increases, while the initial uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was quickly overcome by a strong recovery in demand.

The market surged to a peak of 12.9 million units in 2022, driven primarily by heightened production in the chemical forest sector, which significantly boosted demand for wood raw materials. Ongoing investments in production facilities, coupled with rapidly rising energy wood prices, further stimulated timber trade and market growth during this period.

A correction followed in 2023, with market volume falling to 10.1 million units and value dropping to $115.6 million. This downturn coincided with the end of the forest land price rally and increased economic uncertainty, which made investors more cautious. In 2024, despite the opening of Metsä Group's Kemi bioproduct mill that raised timber demand, the market value continued to decline to $103.4 million, influenced by high interest rates and reduced activity from investment funds.

Production wooden pallets and load boards in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 80 916 thousand US dollars, marking a 3.3% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Finland's production volume of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 10 061 thousand units were produced, showing a gradual rise of 4.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 22.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.0%.

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

Exports wooden pallets and load boards from Finland

Exports in kind, K unit

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3 thousand units, then climbed to a peak in 2017, resulting in a 1 715-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports from Finland totaled 1 913 thousand units, representing a dramatic increase of 75,304.2% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 98.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Sweden, and Poland were the top destinations for Finland's exports in kind. Norway accounted for 56.2% of exports, Sweden for 11.4%, and Poland for 7.6%. Together, these three countries made up 75.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Finland's exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined. In 2020, exports stood at 14 690 thousand US dollars, which is 11.1% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 16 526 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 17.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 19.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Sweden, and Estonia consistently led as the top destinations for Finland's exports in value terms. Norway represented 51.1% of exports, Sweden 13.6%, and Estonia 8.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 72.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wooden pallets and load boards to Finland

Imports in kind, K unit

The market showed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Import volumes fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 20 thousand units, then hit their maximum in 2020, with an 87-fold variation between these years. In 2020, imports into Finland amounted to 1 703 thousand units, indicating a sharp increase of 8,551.9% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 98.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for imports in kind of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars into Finland were Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. Estonia accounted for 38.0% of imports, Latvia for 14.7%, and Poland for 11.5%. Together, these three countries made up 64.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, Finland's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 14 127 thousand US dollars, marking an 8.9% drop from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 15 507 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 22.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 27.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Estonia, Sweden, and Poland played the leading roles in Finland's imports in value terms. Estonia accounted for 31.9% of imports, Sweden for 16.9%, and Poland for 12.9%. Jointly, these three countries took 61.6% of total import flows.

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

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