The Africa-China Timber Trade

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) published in March 2014 a report titled "The Africa-China Timber Trade."  China is the largest importer of tropical wood and is the source of three-quarters of Africa's exports.  While logging companies and traders operate according to local standards, CIFOR found that the environmental and social impacts vary considerably from country to country.  In addition, illegally harvested timber finds its way to China through complex networks.