§1The reading
The BLS wood pallet PPI (WPU084101) was 356.438 in July 2026 (preliminary), up 1.3% on the month and up 5.7% on the year.
Over three months the index moved +2.7%.
It was the highest reading since October 2023.
Across the five years to July 2026, the index ranged from 332.9 (September 2024) to 444.2 (April 2022).
Lumber (WPU081) was +10.1% on the year, softwood +15.0% and hardwood +3.3%; lumber ran 4.5 points ahead of pallets over twelve months.
The industry-basis index for wood container and pallet manufacturing (PCU321920321920) was +6.8% on the year.
U.S. retail diesel averaged $4.955 a gallon over the month (EIA, 4 weekly readings), +31.2% 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 July 2026
| Series | Base | Index | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood pallets WPU084101 | 1982 = 100 | 356.438 p | +1.3% | +5.7% |
| Pallets incl. wood/metal combination WPU0841 | 1982 = 100 | 356.438 p | +1.3% | +5.7% |
| Wood container & pallet mfg (industry) PCU321920321920 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 194.126 p | +1.4% | +6.8% |
| Pallets, industry basis PCU3219203219205 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 197.207 p | +1.4% | +5.7% |
| Industry primary products PCU321920321920P | Dec 2003 = 100 | 187.501 p | +1.4% | +7.0% |
| Lumber WPU081 | 1982 = 100 | 291.003 p | +3.8% | +10.1% |
| Softwood lumber WPU0811 | 1982 = 100 | 300.547 p | +6.4% | +15.0% |
| Hardwood lumber WPU0812 | 1982 = 100 | 289.117 p | +0.1% | +3.3% |
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 $10.57 in July 2026. Method: $10.00 × (index in July 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, July 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 $4.955 a gallon across 4 weekly EIA readings in July 2026 (+31.2% 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.