If you’ve ever shopped for teak wood lately, you’ve probably experienced a little sticker shock. We get it — teak is beautiful, durable, and long-lasting, but the price tag these days can be a surprise. So what’s going on?
Years ago, teak was more readily available, especially from places like Thailand, where it grew naturally in abundance. But over time, the supply of old-growth teak dwindled due to deforestation, stricter export regulations, and efforts to protect endangered forests. As a result, Thailand banned the export of natural teak decades ago, and much of the global supply has since shifted to plantation-grown teak, primarily in India and parts of Southeast Asia.
This change comes with a few challenges.
For one, plantation teak takes decades to mature. Growing high-quality teak isn’t quick or easy, and that slow timeline drives up costs. On top of that, many suppliers now require bulk orders to make shipping and handling worth their while. That means smaller businesses or one-off customers are hit with higher prices, or have trouble getting teak at all unless they commit to large, costly shipments.
And even when it’s available, the cost of importing has risen dramatically. Between global supply chain issues, shipping container shortages, and higher fuel prices, the total cost to bring teak into the U.S. has soared in recent years.
We understand this can be frustrating, especially if you’re used to teak being more affordable and easier to find. We want you to know that we’re doing everything we can to source teak responsibly and offer it when available — but we’re also committed to being upfront about the real-world challenges behind the scenes.
Teak is still an incredible material — and in our opinion, it’s worth it for the strength and beauty it brings. But like many natural resources, it’s become a bit of a rarity. If you have questions about alternatives or want to know when we expect new stock, just reach out. We’re always happy to help.
