Mozambique
The table above suggests that the volume of logs which China declares as imports from Mozambique increased rapidly since the 1990's - particularly during 2007 - but declined somewhat during 2008 and 2009. China's imports of sawn wood (70,000m3 during 2009 - equivalent to roughly 120,000m3 of logs) have risen, offsetting that decline.

Per cubic metre of logs, import values increased from about US$250/m3 to roughly US$450/m3 between 2000 and 2008. In contrast, export values appear to have varied about an average of US$150/m3 (using UN Comtrade as the source of export values and China's import statistics for volume). Although this might imply (increasing) transfer pricing fraud, transportation costs rose very substantially towards the end of that period [Ocean Freight Index].

The majority of China's supplies of logs from Mozambique are declared as imports for enterprises located in Guangdong province (whose timber industry is characterised particularly by the manufacture of wooden furniture).

The provinces of Shanghai and, to a lesser extent, Zhejiang accounted for a substantial proportion of the total imported, particularly from the end of 2006 to near the end of 2007. The province of Beijing accounted for most of the remainder.

The data which appear anomalous in the chart are attributable to logs declared as imports for enterprises located in Beijing Chaoyangqu (February 2007), Shanghai Xuhiuqu (February and June 2007), Zhejiang Wenzhou (August 2007), Zhejiang Huzhou (September 2007), and Guangdong Guangzhoushi (April 2006 and April 2007). Note: corresponding import value data show the same pattern (- there are no apparent anomalies in import value per unit of wood volume).

China accounts for almost all the timber exported from Mozambique, and logs comprise the great majority of those exports.

Suggested reading:
"Corruption Skims Profits from China-Mozambique Timber Trade" by S Norfolk in Haramata Edition 52 (12/2007) [p23-24]
"Forest Governance in Zambézia, Mozambique: Chinese Takeaway!" by C Mackenzie for FONGZA (2006)
"How Northern Donors Promote Corruption - Tales from the new Mozambique" by The Corner House (2004)
"Gleanings on Governance - Learning from a Two Year Process of Forest Policy Support to ProAgri" by IIED (2004) [p15 §3]
"An overview of the problems faced by Mozambique's forests, forest-dependent peoples and forest workers" by V Ribeiro (2008)
"Identifying challenges and opportunities for China through a global commodity chain sustainability analysis" by C Sun et al (2008)
"China in Mozambique: a Cautious Approach Country Case Study" by Paula Christina Roque (2009) [pp7-8]