§1The reading
The BLS wood pallet PPI (WPU084101) was 338.906 in January 2026, up 0.6% on the month and up 1.6% on the year.
Over three months the index moved +0.7%.
It was the highest reading since June 2024.
Across the five years to January 2026, the index ranged from 301.4 (February 2021) to 444.2 (April 2022).
Lumber (WPU081) was +0.4% on the year, softwood −2.8% and hardwood +5.1%; lumber ran 1.2 points behind 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 $3.523 a gallon over the month (EIA, 4 weekly readings), −3.1% 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 January 2026
| Series | Base | Index | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood pallets WPU084101 | 1982 = 100 | 338.906 | +0.6% | +1.6% |
| Pallets incl. wood/metal combination WPU0841 | 1982 = 100 | 338.906 | +0.6% | +1.6% |
| Wood container & pallet mfg (industry) PCU321920321920 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 183.250 | +1.0% | +2.2% |
| Pallets, industry basis PCU3219203219205 | Dec 2003 = 100 | 187.393 | +0.6% | +1.6% |
| Industry primary products PCU321920321920P | Dec 2003 = 100 | 176.649 | +1.1% | +2.2% |
| Lumber WPU081 | 1982 = 100 | 265.325 | +2.4% | +0.4% |
| Softwood lumber WPU0811 | 1982 = 100 | 259.987 | +3.9% | −2.8% |
| Hardwood lumber WPU0812 | 1982 = 100 | 284.704 | +0.3% | +5.1% |
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 $10.16 in January 2026. Method: $10.00 × (index in January 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, January 2026 is not a review month: the next review, on 1 April 2026, uses the February 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 $3.523 a gallon across 4 weekly EIA readings in January 2026 (−3.1% 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.