germany

Marked downward trend in the foreign trade in pallets

Article by Raphael Kerschbaumer (translated by Eva Guzely) | 16.02.2024 - 10:46

Last year, Germany imported a total of around 52 million pallets. For comparison: In 2022, 75.3 million pallets had been imported, i.e. nearly a third more than in 2023.

Almost all German supplying countries recorded double-digit decreases – especially Poland, the most important pallet trading partner, with a decline of 26% to 22.5 million units. German imports from the Czech Republic even fell by 31% (to 8.8 million pieces), and only 4.4 million pallets (-19%) were purchased from the Netherlands last year.

After Ukraine (2.3 million pieces; -43%), Austria recorded the biggest decrease of all the Top 10 supplying countries. In 2023, pallet deliveries to Germany were down by 1 million pieces or 39%.

Scroll down to read about Germany’s pallet exports.

Clear all

Clear all

Compared to imports, German pallet manufacturers were able to keep their exports relatively stable. Nevertheless, pallet exports, too, decreased by 17% year on year to 28.4 million pieces. The neighboring countries remained Germany’s most important buyers, most of all the Netherlands (4.9 million pallets; -23%), followed by Switzerland (4.2 million pieces; -9%), France (3.8 million pallets; -16%) and Austria (3.7 million pieces; -26%).

Italy’s purchases were the most stable in 2023. The country also recorded the smallest decrease: -4% to 1.4 million pieces.

Figures published by Destatis were used for this analysis.

Clear all

Clear all