§1The reading
The BLS wood pallet PPI (WPU084101) was 336.088 in September 2025, down 0.2% on the month and up 1.0% on the year.
Over three months the index moved −0.3%.
It was the lowest reading since April 2025.
Across the five years to September 2025, the index ranged from 286.8 (October 2020) to 444.2 (April 2022).
Lumber (WPU081) was +1.8% on the year, softwood −1.3% and hardwood +6.3%; lumber ran 0.8 points ahead of pallets over twelve months.
The industry-basis index for wood container and pallet manufacturing (PCU321920321920) was +1.9% on the year.
U.S. retail diesel averaged $3.748 a gallon over the month (EIA, 5 weekly readings), +5.3% 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 September 2025
| Series | Base | Index | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood pallets WPU084101 | 1982 = 100 | 336.088 | −0.2% | +1.0% |
| Pallets incl. wood/metal combination WPU0841 | 1982 = 100 | 336.088 | −0.2% | +1.0% |
| Wood container & pallet mfg (industry) PCU321920321920 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 181.310 | −0.1% | +1.9% |
| Pallets, industry basis PCU3219203219205 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 185.815 | −0.2% | +1.0% |
| Industry primary products PCU321920321920P | Dec 2003 = 100 | 174.709 | −0.1% | +1.8% |
| Lumber WPU081 | 1982 = 100 | 259.750 | −2.5% | +1.8% |
| Softwood lumber WPU0811 | 1982 = 100 | 252.782 | −4.1% | −1.3% |
| Hardwood lumber WPU0812 | 1982 = 100 | 281.338 | −0.1% | +6.3% |
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 $10.10 in September 2025. Method: $10.00 × (index in September 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, September 2025 is not a review month: the next review, on 1 January 2026, uses the November 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 $3.748 a gallon across 5 weekly EIA readings in September 2025 (+5.3% 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.