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

Earlier Report Observations

The wooden pallet market in Poland experienced initial growth in volume from 71.2 million units in 2018 to 75.2 million in 2019, supported by the emergence of new product segments such as custom and specialized pallets which broadened demand. Market value remained stable at around $119 million during this period. This expansion was followed by a sharp contraction in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic led to factory closures and supply chain disruptions, reducing market volume to 57.7 million units and value to $86.5 million.

In the subsequent years, the industry adapted to significant external pressures. The war in Ukraine and associated embargoes disrupted wood supplies, causing a 40-80% surge in sawn timber prices by mid-2022 and increasing production costs. From 2023, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) imposed stringent due diligence obligations on producers and importers, altering market standards and documentation requirements. Concurrently, manufacturers invested in automated production lines and drying chambers to boost efficiency, while the secondary market and pallet recycling gained prominence for cost optimization and sustainability.

Production wooden pallets and load boards in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poland's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 552.6 million US dollars, marking a 5.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 622.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 19.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Poland's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 123.5 million units were produced, down 6.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The peak was in 2018, with 138.2 million units, representing the largest increase of 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Exports wooden pallets and load boards from Poland

Exports in kind, K unit

In 2020, Poland exported 81 747 thousand units of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars, a 5.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 42.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.6%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 0.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 37.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Czechia were the main destinations for Poland's exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars. Germany accounted for 48.7% of exports in kind, Italy for 8.4%, and Czechia for 6.4%, together making up 63.5% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars were valued at 539.7 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 52.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 578.2 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 62.9%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 6.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Czechia were the primary buyers of Poland's wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars in value terms. Germany represented 47.1% of exports, Italy 10.3%, and Czechia 6.5%, together comprising 64.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wooden pallets and load boards to Poland

Imports in kind, K unit

Poland's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2017, and the peak was in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 21 422 thousand units, a 25.2% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 87.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Ukraine, and Croatia were the key partners for Poland's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars in kind. Germany accounted for 20.2% of imports, Ukraine for 17.7%, and Croatia for 13.4%, together representing 51.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Poland's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 73.7 million US dollars, down 0.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 36.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 74.5 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 38.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Ukraine, and Sweden were the main sources for Poland's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars in value terms. Germany accounted for 25.9% of imports, Ukraine for 18.7%, and Sweden for 7.3%, together making up 51.9% of total import value.

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

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