West Coast Business Trends September 2026 – California’s Steady, Optimistic While Washington Cites Transportation Issues
West Coast hardwood suppliers accounted for mixed hardwood market conditions, with activity ranging from steady to slower depending on location and customer base. While uncertainty surrounding the economy continues to influence purchasing decisions, respondents noted that regional demand, transportation costs and fuel prices remain key factors shaping business. Most buyers continue to purchase for immediate needs rather than building inventory, although several suppliers expressed cautious optimism that activity will improve as the year progresses.
A California source handling domestic hardwood lumber in 4/4 through 10/4 thicknesses, primarily in FAS and Better grades, reported activity has remained about the same over the past 30 days. White Oak and Walnut continue to lead demand, while Cherry, Red Oak and Alder have been somewhat slower. The source said freight costs remain a concern and continue to affect both pricing and buying patterns, although transportation has generally remained available. Looking ahead, he expects business to strengthen over the next couple of months as customer confidence improves.
“We’re optimistic things will pick up,” he said. “People are still buying, they’re just being more selective about when and how much.”
In Washington, a hardwood supplier carrying a mix of domestic and imported hardwoods, including Oak, Walnut and Sapele in a variety of thicknesses and grades, said activity declined compared to recent weeks. Transportation continues to be one of the company’s biggest challenges, with freight costs and truck availability creating added pressure on margins.
The source also pointed to continued uncertainty surrounding fuel prices, tariffs and the overall economy as factors limiting customer confidence.
Even so, customers continue to purchase material as projects require, although larger orders have become less common. “Transportation is probably our biggest challenge right now,” he said. “Until we get more stability in the economy, people are going to remain cautious.”
A second California source reported steady activity, although he attributed much of that stability to the regional market rather than broader hardwood demand. The company stocks Walnut, Hard and Soft Maple, Red and White Oak, Hickory, Cherry and Yellow Birch in 4/4 through 8/4, primarily in No. 1 Common and Better grades, with longer lengths available in select species. While transportation has not posed a challenge because the company operates its own trucking fleet, rising fuel costs continue to affect both local and national markets and have contributed to higher pricing. The source said the hardwood business has always experienced cycles and believes the current market is no different. “If you’ve been in this business long enough, you know this is just how it goes,” he said. “Administration changes and it ebbs and flows. We’re steady because we’re in California, and the demand in this region is still going to move.”
