§1The reading
The BLS wood pallet PPI (WPU084101) was 340.716 in March 2026, up 0.5% on the month and up 2.1% on the year.
Over three months the index moved +1.1%.
It was the highest reading since April 2024.
Across the five years to March 2026, the index ranged from 332.6 (April 2021) to 444.2 (April 2022).
Lumber (WPU081) was −2.7% on the year, softwood −6.8% and hardwood +3.6%; lumber ran 4.9 points behind pallets over twelve months.
The industry-basis index for wood container and pallet manufacturing (PCU321920321920) was +2.7% on the year.
U.S. retail diesel averaged $4.921 a gallon over the month (EIA, 5 weekly readings), +37.3% 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 2026
| Series | Base | Index | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood pallets WPU084101 | 1982 = 100 | 340.716 | +0.5% | +2.1% |
| Pallets incl. wood/metal combination WPU0841 | 1982 = 100 | 340.716 | +0.5% | +2.1% |
| Wood container & pallet mfg (industry) PCU321920321920 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 184.157 | +0.4% | +2.7% |
| Pallets, industry basis PCU3219203219205 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 188.406 | +0.5% | +2.1% |
| Industry primary products PCU321920321920P | Dec 2003 = 100 | 177.558 | +0.4% | +2.7% |
| Lumber WPU081 | 1982 = 100 | 270.805 | −0.5% | −2.7% |
| Softwood lumber WPU0811 | 1982 = 100 | 268.274 | −0.8% | −6.8% |
| Hardwood lumber WPU0812 | 1982 = 100 | 286.200 | −0.1% | +3.6% |
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 $10.21 in March 2026. Method: $10.00 × (index in March 2026 ÷ 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 2026 is not a review month: the next review, on 1 July 2026, uses the May 2026 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 $4.921 a gallon across 5 weekly EIA readings in March 2026 (+37.3% 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.