§1The reading
The BLS wood pallet PPI (WPU084101) was 333.634 in March 2025, up 0.2% on the month and down 3.5% on the year.
Over three months the index moved −0.0%.
It was the highest reading since December 2024.
Across the five years to March 2025, the index ranged from 279.3 (May 2020) to 444.2 (April 2022).
Lumber (WPU081) was +10.6% on the year, softwood +12.6% and hardwood +7.6%; lumber ran 14.1 points ahead of pallets over twelve months.
The industry-basis index for wood container and pallet manufacturing (PCU321920321920) was −2.2% on the year.
U.S. retail diesel averaged $3.585 a gallon over the month (EIA, 5 weekly readings), −10.9% on a year earlier.
These notes are generated from the published figures, not written by an analyst. The method is on the methodology page.
§2All eight series for March 2025
| Series | Base | Index | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood pallets WPU084101 | 1982 = 100 | 333.634 | +0.2% | −3.5% |
| Pallets incl. wood/metal combination WPU0841 | 1982 = 100 | 333.634 | +0.2% | −3.5% |
| Wood container & pallet mfg (industry) PCU321920321920 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 179.400 | +0.2% | −2.2% |
| Pallets, industry basis PCU3219203219205 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 184.441 | +0.2% | −3.5% |
| Industry primary products PCU321920321920P | Dec 2003 = 100 | 172.972 | +0.2% | −2.5% |
| Lumber WPU081 | 1982 = 100 | 278.435 | +3.4% | +10.6% |
| Softwood lumber WPU0811 | 1982 = 100 | 287.961 | +4.7% | +12.6% |
| Hardwood lumber WPU0812 | 1982 = 100 | 276.385 | +1.3% | +7.6% |
p = preliminary. BLS revises the latest four months.
§3What it means for an index clause
A pallet bought at $10.00 twelve months earlier, escalated in full with this index, would be $9.65 in March 2025. Method: $10.00 × (index in March 2025 ÷ index twelve months before). Most clauses only move the price when the change passes a band, and some pass through only part of it.
Under the model clause's quarterly review, March 2025 is not a review month: the next review, on 1 July 2025, uses the May 2025 reading. A monthly-review contract would use this reading directly.
Run your own numbers with the escalator, or read the model escalator clause.
§4Freight context
U.S. retail on-highway diesel averaged $3.585 a gallon across 5 weekly EIA readings in March 2025 (−10.9% on a year earlier). Delivery charges and fuel surcharges are separate from the producer index, so price them as their own lines in the bid-leveling sheet.