PalletTrader Releases 2025 Q2 Market Survey Results

The latest Q2 2025 Pallet Market Survey is in - and it offers a revealing snapshot of a pallet industry at a pivotal moment. While signs of recovery are emerging, diverging sentiments between buyers and suppliers suggest we’re not out of the woods yet.

📈 Demand: Slow Rise with Regional Variability

Buyers continue to report stable or slightly increased pallet demand, with 43% seeing growth compared to six months ago - a notable 12% bump from Q3 2024. But sellers tell a more muted story, with many reporting flat or declining demand. The data signals a market still grappling with uneven recovery across sectors and geographies.

💲 Pricing: Flat for Now, But Pressure's Building

Buyers largely agree that prices have remained flat (57%), yet a sizable 30% are seeing increases. Sellers, however, are under pressure - with only 22% reporting higher prices and many noting a decline due to tightening margins and competitive forces. Looking forward, 43% of suppliers expect prices to rise - driven largely by tightening inventories and projected increases in lumber costs.

📉 Inventory: Retreating to Leaner Levels

Inventory levels continue to contract. Nearly 70% of respondents report holding two weeks or less of pallet inventory - up 10% from the previous survey. Only 10% have over 30 days on hand. As supply tightens and demand edges upward, the pressure is expected to mount in the coming months.

🌎 Market Pressures: Tariffs & Timber Costs Loom

Over half of respondents anticipate negative impacts from current and potential global tariffs. With sourcing challenges and price inflation on the horizon, uncertainty is weighing on short-term planning. Meanwhile, 60% of suppliers now expect lumber prices to rise - another cost headwind for pallet producers and buyers alike.

🔮 Outlook: Lean, Cautious Optimism

The forecast isn’t bleak - but it’s cautious. Both buyers and sellers are anticipating modest demand growth and likely pricing rebounds by late summer. The biggest wildcard? Policy and macroeconomics. As one respondent noted, “This is no longer just about pallets. It’s about the global trade environment we’re operating in.”

Why It Matters:
At PalletTrader, we’re committed to equipping our users with data-driven insights to stay ahead of volatility. Whether you're buying or selling, this Q2 report reinforces the need to act proactively, leverage digital sourcing channels, and monitor cost pressures closely.

Read the full report here → PalletTrader 2025 Q2 Pallet Market Survey