Market overview
The global crate market is worth USD 18.8 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 29.5 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.6% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Plastic is the largest by material segment.
| Scope | Reusable and single-trip crates for handling and transporting goods: injection-moulded plastic crates, folding and stacking crates, wooden and metal crates for food, agriculture, beverage, retail and industrial logistics. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Packaging |
| Value 2025 | USD 18.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 18.8 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 29.5 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.6% |
| Volume 2026 | 4,139 million pieces |
| Volume 2036 | 5,874 million pieces |
| Average price 2026 | USD 4.54 per piece |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Crate market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 18.8 bn |
| 2027 | USD 19.7 bn |
| 2028 | USD 20.6 bn |
| 2029 | USD 21.5 bn |
| 2030 | USD 22.5 bn |
| 2031 | USD 23.6 bn |
| 2032 | USD 24.6 bn |
| 2033 | USD 25.8 bn |
| 2034 | USD 27.0 bn |
| 2035 | USD 28.2 bn |
| 2036 | USD 29.5 bn |
Crate market segmentation
By material
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic | 62.0% | 67.4% | USD 11.7 bn | 5.5% |
| Wood | 22.0% | 17.9% | USD 4.1 bn | 2.5% |
| Metal | 9.0% | 8.1% | USD 1.7 bn | 3.5% |
| Fibre and other | 7.0% | 6.6% | USD 1.3 bn | 4.0% |
By type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stackable and nestable crates | 40.0% | 39.7% | USD 7.5 bn | 4.5% |
| Folding and collapsible crates | 24.0% | 27.4% | USD 4.5 bn | 6.0% |
| Bulk and large containers | 16.0% | 15.9% | USD 3.0 bn | 4.5% |
| Beverage and bottle crates | 12.0% | 9.8% | USD 2.3 bn | 2.5% |
| Other crates | 8.0% | 7.2% | USD 1.5 bn | 3.5% |
By end use
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food and agriculture | 38.0% | 39.8% | USD 7.1 bn | 5.1% |
| Retail and e-commerce | 20.0% | 22.0% | USD 3.8 bn | 5.6% |
| Beverages | 14.0% | 12.1% | USD 2.6 bn | 3.1% |
| Automotive and industrial | 18.0% | 17.1% | USD 3.4 bn | 4.1% |
| Other | 10.0% | 9.1% | USD 1.9 bn | 3.6% |
By load capacity
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light duty below 15 kg | 31.0% | 30.0% | USD 5.8 bn | 4.3% |
| Medium duty 15 to 40 kg | 45.0% | 45.0% | USD 8.5 bn | 4.6% |
| Heavy duty above 40 kg | 24.0% | 25.0% | USD 4.5 bn | 5.0% |
By usage
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-trip | 36.0% | 32.0% | USD 6.8 bn | 3.4% |
| Returnable and pooled | 50.0% | 53.0% | USD 9.4 bn | 5.2% |
| Rental and leased | 14.0% | 15.0% | USD 2.6 bn | 5.3% |
Top 25 countries for crate by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 72.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.4%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 3.8 bn | 20.0% | USD 6.4 bn | 5.5% |
| 2 | United States | USD 3.2 bn | 17.0% | USD 4.6 bn | 3.8% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 1.3 bn | 7.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 3.5% |
| 4 | India | USD 1.1 bn | 6.0% | USD 2.3 bn | 7.4% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 940 mn | 5.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 3.0% |
| 6 | France | USD 752 mn | 4.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 3.5% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | USD 752 mn | 4.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 3.5% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 658 mn | 3.5% | USD 1.1 bn | 5.5% |
| 9 | Italy | USD 564 mn | 3.0% | USD 796 mn | 3.5% |
| 10 | Mexico | USD 564 mn | 3.0% | USD 973 mn | 5.6% |
| 11 | South Korea | USD 547 mn | 2.9% | USD 731 mn | 2.9% |
| 12 | Canada | USD 504 mn | 2.7% | USD 894 mn | 5.9% |
| 13 | Turkey | USD 391 mn | 2.1% | USD 693 mn | 5.9% |
| 14 | Australia | USD 327 mn | 1.7% | USD 581 mn | 5.9% |
| 15 | Indonesia | USD 286 mn | 1.5% | USD 507 mn | 5.9% |
| 16 | Thailand | USD 254 mn | 1.4% | USD 451 mn | 5.9% |
| 17 | Poland | USD 231 mn | 1.2% | USD 410 mn | 5.9% |
| 18 | Netherlands | USD 213 mn | 1.1% | USD 283 mn | 2.9% |
| 19 | Spain | USD 198 mn | 1.1% | USD 265 mn | 3.0% |
| 20 | Saudi Arabia | USD 186 mn | 1.0% | USD 330 mn | 5.9% |
| 21 | Vietnam | USD 175 mn | 0.9% | USD 310 mn | 5.9% |
| 22 | Russia | USD 166 mn | 0.9% | USD 221 mn | 2.9% |
| 23 | Argentina | USD 158 mn | 0.8% | USD 212 mn | 3.0% |
| 24 | Belgium | USD 150 mn | 0.8% | USD 201 mn | 2.9% |
| 25 | South Africa | USD 145 mn | 0.8% | USD 209 mn | 3.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 1.2 bn | 6.6% | USD 1.7 bn | 3.3% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Schoeller Allibert
- ORBIS
- Georg Utz
- Rehrig Pacific
- IFCO
- Myers Industries
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Nilkamal
- Supreme Industries
- Craemer
- SSI Schaefer
- Auer Packaging
- Polymer Logistics
- Time Technoplast
- Walther Faltsysteme
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Cosmoplast
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the crate market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.6% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by material, by type, by end use, by load capacity, by usage. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the crate market?
The global crate market is estimated at USD 18.0 bn in 2025 and USD 18.8 bn in 2026.
How fast will the crate market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 29.5 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% from 2026, an increase of USD 10.7 bn.
Which country is the largest market for crate?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 3.8 bn in 2026, 20.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 44.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 7.4% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which crate segment is largest?
In the by material split, Plastic is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading crate companies?
Global leaders include Schoeller Allibert, ORBIS, Georg Utz, Rehrig Pacific.
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