West Coast Business Trends November 2026 – A Positive Report From The West Coast
Hardwood activity on the West Coast ranged from steady to excellent recently, while freight costs and tariffs remained concerns for sources in the region.
A California wholesale distributor described hardwood activity in his market as “excellent.” The company operates a distribution yard and utilizes its own trucks as well as rail service.
The source pointed to rebuilding following California fires as one factor in current business and also cited demand for two hardwood species. “People are just loving White Oak and Walnut right now,” he said.
The distributor handles a broad mix of hardwoods, including White Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut, Red and White Oak, Ash and SAP Ash. Thicknesses generally range from 4/4 through 16/4. Much of the material is Northern Appalachian and is sold primarily in FAS/1F & Better grades.
The company does little business in lower grades but sells a fair amount of Rustic, which the source described as a non-NHLA aesthetic grade for buyers looking for sound, tight defects and more character in the wood.
Customers have continued to purchase available material despite higher costs. “If we have the product, people will buy it,” he said.
He added that freight rates have risen and tariff-related concerns remain. Transportation availability has not created significant problems.
“Most of our intermodals have been delivering on time,” he said. “We haven’t seen any negative impact other than just increasing freight rates.” The source expects some seasonal tightening in trucking availability on the West Coast as the Christmas tree season approaches. That typically affects transportation for Alder, softwood lumber and hardwood plywood moving out of Oregon.
Looking towards the final quarter of the year, he expects some seasonal slowing.
“Prior to COVID, as we went into the last quarter of the year, our business would slow,” he said.
That changed during the pandemic, when the traditional year-end slowdown disappeared. He said last year was the first time he saw business begin returning to its previous seasonal pattern. “My guess is that we’ll trend to go a little bit slower into the last quarter,” he said.
A second California source, representing a planing mill and hardwood lumber distributor, said activity has been “a little bit slower than what we would like.” “If you have lumber on the ground, and it is needed, you can usually get the order,” he said.
The company handles Red and White Oak, Birch, Cherry, Basswood, Hard and Soft Maple, Poplar, Butternut, Black and White Ash, Aspen, Hickory, Walnut, Alder, Baltic Birch, Beech and white pine. In most species, inventories range from 4/4 through 8/4 and include Nos. 1 and 2 Common and Select & Better grades.
Log supplies have tightened somewhat, although the company has maintained enough supply to keep its kiln full and production moving.
Customer markets have varied. One flooring manufacturer recently reduced production from five days to four days, while some customers have delayed orders by a week or two. Others need stock immediately.
“It’s just a mixed bag right now,” the source said. “It’s nothing that you can predict.”
Transportation costs have increased sharply. The company uses outside trucks and containers for some kiln-dried lumber shipments.
“Costs have gone up dramatically,” he said, adding that increases in recent weeks have made it difficult to estimate what transportation will cost by the time lumber ships.
The company has been focusing on efficiency, consistency and reducing costs.
“We’re trying to get as lean as we can and compete,” he said. Looking ahead, the source expects little immediate change. “I think right now we’re in a more normal stage,” he said, adding that he expects that to continue for approximately the next six months.
In Oregon, a hardwood wholesaler with distribution yards described hardwood activity as active, with White Oak and Poplar among its stronger movers.
The source said business tied to major technology companies has been noticeable in his market, commenting that “big tech money is where it’s at.” The company handles most domestic hardwood species primarily in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses, with grades including 1 Common, 2 Common and Select & Better. It also offers longer lengths in certain species.
Freight rates remain a concern, although the wholesaler has not experienced problems obtaining transportation. Tariffs are also an ongoing concern for the company. The source does not expect much change in hardwood activity during the next 30 to 90 days.
