Inland West Business Trends
A Steady Inland West Softwood Market
By Terry Miller
President
Activity for softwood across the Inland West has remained generally steady, with sources reporting moderate demand and balanced market conditions. While activity has softened slightly in some areas, most agree the market continues to move at a consistent pace, supported by ongoing construction demand and cautious purchasing patterns.
Sources throughout the region described a market that continues to move at a consistent pace, though not without underlying challenges. Supply constraints, rising freight costs and shifting buying behavior are all playing a role in shaping current conditions.
An Idaho source said softwood activity in his market has remained stable, though slightly quieter compared to earlier periods.
“It’s okay,” he said. “A little quieter than it was before.”
The source, who handles dry Hem-Fir and Douglas Fir, said production challenges are beginning to surface in parts of the region, particularly in North Idaho, where mills are dealing with seasonal log supply limitations. Spring breakup conditions have made it difficult for logging operations to access timber, slowing the flow of logs into mills.
“In North Idaho, mills are struggling to get logs,” he said. “Some of the log truckers have been going all the way over to Oregon to haul for coastal mills.”
Despite these constraints, he expects conditions to remain relatively steady, noting that while supply pressures exist, demand has not surged to a level that would create significant imbalance.
Rising costs, supply constraints and shifting buying behaviors were listed as challenges.
A Montana source described softwood activity as mixed, with demand varying depending on customer base and geographic market.
“It’s a mix. Some guys are slow and some guys are busy,” he said.
Handling dry Hem-Fir and Douglas Fir across a range of standard dimensions, the source said single-family construction continues to support demand in several areas, while multifamily activity has yet to fully return.
He noted that conditions vary widely across markets, with some areas maintaining consistent activity while others experience more uneven demand.
While transportation availability has remained manageable in his market, he said rising fuel costs have required adjustments, particularly through freight surcharges.
“We’re still able to move material, but you’ve had to adjust to the higher freight costs,” he said.
An Arizona source pointed to changing purchasing patterns as a key factor influencing current market dynamics.
The source, who supplies a full range of softwood products from studs and dimension lumber to wider widths, said flexibility in product mix has become increasingly important as customers look to manage inventory more closely.
“We run everything from 2×4 up to 2×12, so we can put together highly mixed trucks,” he said. “A lot of our customers rely on that just-in-time model.”
He noted that rising fuel costs have had a measurable impact on buying behavior, particularly on longer hauls.
“We’ve seen freight add anywhere from $30 to $50 per thousand board feet,” he said.
As a result, some customers are delaying purchases until material is immediately needed, contributing to a more reactive buying environment.
“Some guys have held out as long as they can,” he said. “They’re just trying to see where things are going.”
Across the region, sources indicated that while transportation availability has generally remained stable, higher costs continue to influence pricing and purchasing decisions. At the same time, broader uncertainty tied to fuel markets and global conditions has contributed to a more cautious outlook among buyers. Looking ahead, most sources expect conditions to remain relatively steady, with no significant upward or downward shifts anticipated in the near term. While supply-side challenges, particularly in log availability, may persist in certain areas, current demand levels are expected to support continued stability across the region.
