Global Timber Trade - Information


Benin

EU imports of timber from Benin
Source: based on Eurostat

Almost all the roundwood equivalent volume of timber which is imported into the EU from Benin comprises sawnwood and mouldings.  This chart indicates that the EUTR has not caused a decline in Benin's exports to the EU.  This contradicts assertions by the FAO FLEGT Programme [second paragraph].

In addition, that source ignores the much larger volumes of logs, primarily "rosewood", which China imported from Benin during the first half of this decade (see beow).  Negligence concerning the "rosewood" (and other logs) which China imports from western Africa - including Ghana, which has a VPA with the EU - seems to be central to the FLEGT Action Plan (and complementary bilateral initiatives).

Further, that source suggests that several countries are the destination for Benin's exports of teak - which is misleading because India has imported roughly 90% of that teak during recent years (predominntly as logs).   Most of the remainder seems to have been imported by China (mainly via Shenzhen) - as sawnwood.

China's imports of "rosewood" and other logs from Benin (by "customs district")
Source: based on General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China
(Note: monthly source data in units of weight has been converted to volume since 01 01 2014)

China's imports of logs from Benin (by "location of importer")
Source: based on General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China
(Note: monthly source data in units of weight has been converted to volume since 01 01 2014)

   


China's imports of logs from Benin
Source: based on General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China
China
2011 (average US$430/m3)
Volume ('000 m3)
2
2
3
9
15
7
15
20
22
25
19
17
Import value (US$ million)
1
1
1
4
6
3
6
9
9
11
8
8
China
2012 (average US$450/m3)
Volume ('000 m3)
11
27
17
20
29
27
17
5
6
9
20
13
Import value (US$ million)
5
12
8
9
13
12
8
3
3
4
9
6
China
2013 (average US$510/m3)
Volume ('000 m3)
16
11
23
18
19
12
16
14
16
10
8
8
Import value (US$ million)
8
5
11
9
10
6
8
7
8
5
4
4
China
2014 (average US$640/m3)
Note: volumes shown since 01 01 2014 are estimates based on source data in units of weight.
Volume ('000 m3)
13
19
24
28
28
29
32
11
10
7
6
9
Import value (US$ million)
7
10
15
19
18
20
22
8
7
4
4
3
China
2015 (average US$580/m3)
Note: volumes shown since 01 01 2014 are estimates based on source data in units of weight.
Volume ('000 m3)
4
2
6
8
10
7
            
Import value (US$ million)
3
2
4
5
4
4
            

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