West Coast Business Trends
West Coast Appears Steady, Marked By Selective Buying, Specialty Orders, Cautious Optimism
Markets across the West Coast remain active but inconsistent, with many producers describing business as “sporadic but steady.” The pattern is much like recent months, with certain specialty and high-end segments maintaining consistent demand while overall movement remains selective and project driven.
One Washington lumber source said the market feels largely unchanged from a year ago, though customer requests have shifted slightly toward higher-end or custom products. “Certain segments are more consistent,” the source noted. “We’re seeing steady activity in Select and Better Soft Maple and Rift and Quartered White Oak, while the common grades are definitely slower in all species.” The company offers most Eastern hardwoods in all thicknesses and grades, along with a range of Western softwoods.
Buyers in the region continue to focus on special width and length sorts, often tailoring orders to specific production runs rather than large inventory builds. “Customers are asking for special sorts more frequently,” the contact added. “Most have small order files and are concerned about the overall pace of business.”
While transportation is not currently posing challenges in the Pacific Northwest, hardwood plywood availability and pricing are creating new concerns. “I’m starting to hear comments from customers who buy hardwood plywood that prices are beginning to rise, and availability is a concern,” the Washington source said. “There’s just a lot of uncertainty right now with interest rates, tariffs and where the economy is headed.”
No major market shift expected in next six months and most agree a more predictable economic environment could bring a boost to confidence and consistency across the region.
In Northern California, a distributor said that conditions have improved modestly since midsummer. “It’s a little better than 60 days ago,” he reported, noting that customer activity has ticked up slightly. “They’re a little bit busier, but they’re still skeptical about what’s to come.” The company handles a broad mix of species, including Rift and Quartered White Oak, Walnut, Birch, and Maple, and has not experienced recent supply disruptions. “Not any that are affecting us,” he said.
Elsewhere in California, another contact said transportation challenges remain a reality, especially for inbound freight. “It’s hard sometimes, especially being here in California,” he explained. However, optimism persists that lower interest rates could offer some relief heading into 2026. “With lower interest rates, we’re hoping that’s going to make things better,” he said. Even so, tariffs continue to weigh heavily on sentiment. “The tariffs have got everybody a little worried.”
Overall, contacts added that the repair and remodel segment continues to help sustain overall volume, particularly among smaller shops and distributors serving residential contractors. While large commercial projects remain inconsistent, steady interest in renovation work and custom interiors has provided a reliable outlet for premium grades and specialty dimensions across the region.
For now, the West Coast hardwood market appears to be steady, marked by selective buying, specialty orders, and cautious optimism tempered by larger economic variables. While no one predicts a major shift in the next six months, most agree that a more predictable economic environment could bring a much-needed boost to confidence and consistency across the region.
