§1The reading
The BLS wood pallet PPI (WPU084101) was 351.726 in June 2026 (preliminary), up 1.2% on the month and up 4.3% on the year.
Over three months the index moved +3.2%.
It was the highest reading since December 2023.
Across the five years to June 2026, the index ranged from 332.9 (September 2024) to 444.2 (April 2022).
Lumber (WPU081) was +5.1% on the year, softwood +6.1% and hardwood +3.8%; lumber ran 0.8 points ahead of pallets over twelve months.
The industry-basis index for wood container and pallet manufacturing (PCU321920321920) was +5.4% on the year.
U.S. retail diesel averaged $5.024 a gallon over the month (EIA, 5 weekly readings), +39.6% 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 June 2026
| Series | Base | Index | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood pallets WPU084101 | 1982 = 100 | 351.726 p | +1.2% | +4.3% |
| Pallets incl. wood/metal combination WPU0841 | 1982 = 100 | 351.726 p | +1.2% | +4.3% |
| Wood container & pallet mfg (industry) PCU321920321920 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 191.493 p | +1.3% | +5.4% |
| Pallets, industry basis PCU3219203219205 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 194.569 p | +1.2% | +4.4% |
| Industry primary products PCU321920321920P | Dec 2003 = 100 | 184.960 p | +1.3% | +5.7% |
| Lumber WPU081 | 1982 = 100 | 280.234 p | −0.4% | +5.1% |
| Softwood lumber WPU0811 | 1982 = 100 | 282.546 p | −0.7% | +6.1% |
| Hardwood lumber WPU0812 | 1982 = 100 | 288.755 p | +0.1% | +3.8% |
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 $10.43 in June 2026. Method: $10.00 × (index in June 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, June 2026 is not a review month: the next review, on 1 October 2026, uses the August 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 $5.024 a gallon across 5 weekly EIA readings in June 2026 (+39.6% 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.