Wood procurement has always been about balancing competing priorities, but the margin for error has narrowed. Procurement teams are expected to secure a reliable fiber or log supply at a competitive cost while responding to shifting market conditions, changing mill demand, transportation constraints, natural disaster events, and increasing scrutiny around sustainability. At the same time, leadership expects procurement decisions to be backed by data, not just experience. Experience and relationships remain essential in this business. However, they’re no longer enough on their own. Markets move faster than they once did, and the factors influencing delivered wood costs are more interconnected than ever. The challenge isn’t simply reacting to what’s happening today—it’s recognizing where the market is heading before those changes begin affecting procurement costs.