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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Portuguese wooden pallet market shifted toward more durable and sustainable products, led by CHEP's introduction of reinforced pallets and significant investments in quality and service network efficiency. National companies such as Casa Sousa and MSJ – Wood Solutions SA expanded activities in pallet repair and phytosanitary treatment, aligning with European norms. This phase coincided with a moderate market volume contraction to 10.8 million units in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 heightened attention to logistics efficiency and reusable solutions, which supported a market recovery to 11.1 million units.

After 2020, sustainability and circular economy practices remained central, with tighter phytosanitary regulation and growing demand for recycled and PEFC-certified pallets. Portuguese exporters gained from continued adherence to international ISPM15 standards for compressed wood pallets, helping lift exports from 3.8 million units in 2020 to 7.6 million units by 2025. Companies like CHEP maintained leadership in pallet pooling, while national producers invested in modernized, automated lines to meet specific market needs.

Throughout the period, the market was supported by authorized phytosanitary treatment operators such as Exporpal, ensuring compliance for export, and by a focus on customized pallet solutions for heavy loads and various industrial sectors. These factors reinforced the competitiveness of Portuguese wooden pallets in both domestic and international markets.

Production wooden pallets and load boards in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Portugal's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 109.0 million US dollars, marking a 0.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K unit

Production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars in Portugal declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Portugal produced 13 040 thousand units, showing a modest decline of 3.9% from the year before. From 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Exports wooden pallets and load boards from Portugal

Exports in kind, K unit

In 2021, Portugal's exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars totaled 4 499 thousand units, representing a significant increase of 19.4% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 769 thousand units, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 759 thousand units. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 20.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom formed the main cluster of markets for Portugal's exports in kind. Spain accounted for 67.7% of exports, France for 9.3%, and the United Kingdom for 6.4%, together representing 83.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars exported from Portugal amounted to 40 741 thousand US dollars, which is 26.1% higher than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 12.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 32 317 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 12.1%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom consistently led in the country structure of Portugal's exports in value terms. Spain held 69.0% of exports, France 8.8%, and the United Kingdom 5.8%, jointly accounting for 83.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wooden pallets and load boards to Portugal

Imports in kind, K unit

Portugal's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 258 thousand units, showing a sharp drop of 33.0% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 990 thousand units, with the largest increase that year at 25.3%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain dominated Portugal's imports in kind, accounting for 76.8% of total flows, while other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Portugal's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports were valued at 11 598 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a slight decline of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain remained the primary market for Portugal's imports in value terms, with a share of 76.9% of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed across numerous other destinations.

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

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