Inland West Business Trends
An Inland West Market Short Of Expectations
Terry Miller
President
Inland West softwood suppliers described a market that is steady, with activity levels improving from late last year but still short of early expectations.
In Utah, a supplier handling Ponderosa Pine boards in all common grades, Ponderosa Pine shop, and mixed boards said the market is flat but stable.
“I think we’re pretty flat right now,” he said. “Markets are ho-hum. It hasn’t been extremely active, but it’s enough to keep up with production.”
He noted that conditions are better than they were over the previous six months, though demand has not accelerated as many expected at the start of the year.
“Everybody was expecting the first quarter to be kind of a turnaround,” he said. “I think most of them now are saying the end of the first quarter.”
In Idaho, a softwood supplier who handles Engelmann Spruce Lodgepole Pine studs along with Ponderosa Pine boards in common grades and Ponderosa Pine shop material said dimension products have played a larger role in recent movement, while board and shop grades remain steady. Studs, in particular, have shown incremental improvement.
“Studs have been making a pretty steady climb,” he said. “That’s probably been the most consistent mover lately.”
While board sales remain steady, framing material has provided slightly more momentum in recent weeks. Even so, overall order files remain measured.
“Business is better,” he said, “but it’s not yet to the level people were expecting after the turn of the calendar.”
Despite a few bumps, the market is expected to improve.
Transportation has been a challenge across the region, particularly following widespread cold weather that disrupted freight lanes. Snow and ice in multiple parts of the country slowed trucking capacity, affecting delivery timing more than pricing.
“Transportation has been tough ever since the big cold front went across the country,” he said. “The snow and the ice slowed lanes down, but I’m expecting with warmer weather those will break free again.”
He said freight rates have not seen dramatic changes. “I don’t think it’s necessarily overall supply and demand,” he explained. “It’s just getting guys running back in their regular lanes again.”
In Wyoming, a softwood supplier handling Ponderosa Pine boards in shop grades indicated production levels are aligned with current demand, and inventories remain manageable.
“It’s enough to keep up with production right now,” he said.
Tariff discussions continue to circulate within the market, though the direct impact has been limited so far. Some tightening in the dimension segment has allowed modest price firming, but broader demand growth will likely determine longer-term effects.
“There’s still talk about tariff concerns and imports,” he said. “We’ve seen very little influence from that so far. Until we see some growth in demand domestically, I don’t think we’ll see the full effects.”
Looking ahead, expectations remain cautiously optimistic.
“I think not only the lumber market, but the overall economy, we’re going to continue to see growth over the next six months,” he said.
Overall suppliers described a market that is steady and functioning. While activity has not yet reached the levels many anticipated, most sources expect incremental growth as weather stabilizes and demand strengthens.
