What’s Really Driving Western Red Cedar Supply — Beyond the Headlines

If you follow lumber industry news, you’ve likely seen the headlines: “Western Red Cedar is tight.” While that statement isn’t wrong, it’s often oversimplified. Western Red Cedar (WRC) is a specialty product, and its supply dynamics differ meaningfully from commodity softwoods like SPF or Hem-Fir.

To understand what’s really happening in the cedar market, we need to look beyond price charts and tariff soundbites. Western Red Cedar supply is shaped by a combination of policy decisions, fiber characteristics, and production realities, each playing a distinct role in today’s market.

Today, we’re breaking down the key factors influencing Western Red Cedar availability and what they mean for buyers.
Let’s dive in.

Policy Impacts: Why Fiber Availability Matters.

One of the most discussed drivers of cedar supply in recent years has been forest policy in British Columbia – the largest supplier of Western Red Cedar products in the world.

Policy changes over the years have gradually reshaped the long-term supply picture, contributing to together availability of certain cedar products over time. Since 2021, millions of hectares of old-growth forest have been deferred or protected, in addition to areas that were already unavailable to harvest. These policies were designed to preserve ecologically significant forests and reflect a broader shift in forest management priorities.

For Western Red Cedar, these changes matter because cedar is not evenly distributed across all forest types. High-quality, appearance-grade cedar is often sourced from older stands, where trees have grown slowly and developed the tight grain that is desired. When access to this fiber is limited, impact is felt first at the mill level, most strongly effecting pricing and availability of premium grades.

Specialty Product vs. Commodity Lumber

A common misconception is that Western Red Cedar prices and availability move in lockstep with the broader lumber market. In reality, cedar behaves very differently from commodity softwoods.

Commodity lumber is more volume-driven than Western Red Cedar, with prices heavily influenced by housing starts, mill curtailments, and short-term demand swings. Western Red Cedar, by contrast, is a specialty wood valued for its natural beauty and ability to elevate a project. Demand is driven more by remodel activity, outdoor living projects, and architectural applications than by new-home framing alone.

Because of this, cedar supply and pricing tend to be more stable, but also less flexible. When demand increases or fiber becomes constrained, the market doesn’t correct itself as quickly as it might with higher-volume species.

Understanding Grade Dynamics in Western Red Cedar

Not all cedar is the same, and grade dynamics play a major role in how supply is experienced by buyers.

Appearance grades—such as clear or select tight knot—require specific fiber characteristics and yield lower recovery rates at the mill. These grades are more sensitive to fiber availability and production capacity. When supply tightens, these products are often the first to feel pressure in terms of lead times or pricing.

On the other hand, knotty or utility grades may be more readily available, depending on log mix and production schedules. This distinction is critical for buyers planning projects, as availability can vary significantly by product type even within the same species.

Understanding these grade dynamics helps explain why “cedar is tight” can mean different things to different customers.

Duties & Tariffs

Trade duties on Canadian softwood lumber have also influenced cedar markets. While duties don’t directly change the physical supply of cedar, they can affect purchasing patterns, pricing structures, and sourcing decisions.

It’s important to separate perception from reality here: duties are one factor among many, and they do not define the entire market. While duties can impact price, reliability, availability, and consistency remain key aspects of building long-term business.

Canadian softwood duties & tariffs can reach as high as 45% on Western Red Cedar lumber sent from Canada to the United States.

Why Supply Stability Matters More Than Ever

For distributors and professional buyers, the key challenge isn’t just price; it’s predictability. Knowing when material will arrive, whether quality will be consistent, and how supply will perform over time is critical for managing inventory and serving customers.

This is where supplier structure matters. Companies with secure fiber access, owned production facilities, and integrated manufacturing are better positioned to navigate policy changes and market noise without disruption.

West Bay’s Approach to Western Red Cedar

At West Bay Forest Products, Western Red Cedar has always been the core focus of our business. As a U.S.-based supplier, we primarily work with a steady source of American logs and operate our own sawmills and remanufacturing facilities across Washington and Idaho.

Owning our production allows us to control quality, manage grade recovery, and provide clearer lead times for our customers. Rather than reacting to every market headline, we focus on consistent execution and long-term relationships.

As the cedar market continues to evolve, we believe transparency, integrity, and reliability matter more than ever. If you’d like to stay up to date on Western Red Cedar supply, market trends, and product availability, sign-up for our newsletter, continue following our blog, or connect with our team directly.

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