According to a report from the Global Environmental Institute (GEI) a Chinese not for-profit, non-governmental organization that was established in Beijing in 2004 timber imports from Africa during the period 2005 to 2013 averaged around 2-3 million cubic metres per year. Sawnwood imports over the same period increased rapidly. Imports of other wooden products such as plywood began to grow over the past two years.
China‟s log imports from 2011 to 2013 were mainly from the Republic of Congo (22%), Cameroon (13%), Mozambique (13%), Equatorial Guinea (12%), Benin (7%), Gambia (5%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (5%), Ghana (5%) and Liberia (3%).
Sawnwood imports were from Gabon (37%), Mozambique (24%), Cameroon (20%), Benin (5%), the Republic of Congo (4%), Ghana (2%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (2%), Tanzania (1%), Cote d'Ivoire (1%) and Zambia (1%).
The timber trade between China and Africa has been increasing and becoming more sophisticated as the trade in sawnwood, plywood and added value products has grown.