info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
Image from Namibian.com
It is reported that in recent years, Namibian timber exports to China have increased significantly. Compared with 22 trucks in 2015, Namibian timber has reached 208 trucks in the first two months of this year.
In total, 3 200 tonnes of Namibian timber were exported to China in 2018. This figure has doubled to 7 500 tonnes during January and February alone this year.
The statistics also show that the trees being cut down by mainly north-eastern elites for sale to the Asian superpower are used to produce luxury traditional Chinese furniture.
Statistics show that around 800 tonnes of Namibian timber were exported through Walvis Bay to China in 2015; 22 tonnes were shipped out in 2016; and, about 200 tonnes in 2017.
Data shows that around 302 truckloads of Namibian timber were exported to China since 2017 to 2019.
Namibian ports were further used to export 430 700 tonnes of timber from 2013 to 2019, including wood from other southern African countries. This is equal to 12 000 fully loaded trucks.
Zambia tops the list of countries which exported its timber through Namibia. The other two countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola.
Although the Zambian government banned timber harvesting and transportation in 2015, statistics from Namport show that 2 760 timber truckloads from that country were exported through the Walvis Bay port.
Zambia reportedly banned the harvesting and transportation of rosewood to stop its rapid loss, fuelled by the growing demand for the timber in Asia.
Zambia banned the export of logs from all tree species of rose wood, and now only gives export permits for processed or sawn wood, saying it wants to boost the country's timber manufacturing sector. According to media reports, a ton of timber is sold for N$240 000 in China.