China needs 5 million cubic meters more of tropical timber by 2010

China needs 5 million cubic meters more of tropical timber by 2010
mongabay.com
October 16, 2006

China needs 5 million cubic meters more of tropical timber by 2010 according to the September 15-30 ITTO Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report, a publication published by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). China is already the world's largest consumer of tropical wood, importing more than twice the volume of tropical logs as India, the second largest importer on the list.

ITTO reports that China will require 16 million cubic meters of tropical timber by 2010 but that supply constraints in the international market may make it difficult to meet these levels of demand.

China’s tropical log imports have almost tripled since the mid-1990s. Malaysia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Gabon, Myanmar and the Republic of Congo the main "official" sources for its tropical wood.

Felled canopy tree in the rainforest of Gabon (top). Photo by Rhett A. Butler

China's insatiable demand for raw materials is rooted in its tremendous economic growth and has driven the country to pursue resources beyond its borders. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), China’s demand for imported industrial wood -- timber, paper and pulp -- will grow by at least 33 percent within the next five years, from the current 94 million cubic meters to 125 million cubic meters.

This article used quotes from the September 15-30 ITTO Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report.

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