Rural livelihoods and the Chinese timber trade in Zambia's Western Province

P Asanzi,D Gumbo,L Putzel,M Mupeta

doi:10.1505/146554814813484095

Abstract

SUMMARY In recent years, the increase in China’s timber demand has brought increased sourcing by Chinese logging companies worldwide. In Africa, Chinese companies have established both timber buying and logging operations. Although Zambia is not a major producer, it is a repository of several valuable wood species, attracting several Chinese logging companies. The presence of these export-oriented companies is potentially a matter of concern in regards to rural livelihoods and the environment. Using a comparative approach to understand the differences in effect between Chinese and non-Chinese companies, we ask how the timber trade affects rural livelihoods. The results of household and community –level fieldwork in Western Province suggest that the activities of both Chinese and non-Chinese logging companies bring limited benefits to rural communities. Meanwhile, non-Chinese logging companies provided more local employment opportunities. In contrast, Chinese logging companies outbid their non-Chinese counterparts in the local timber market, providing greater opportunities to small-scale loggers.

Highlights

China’s growing demand for Zambian TimberIn recent years, China’s trade in forest products with the rest of the world has dramatically increased, positioning the country among the most significant markets in the global forestry industry
The overall aim of this article is to assess the effects of the Chinese timber trade on the livelihoods of rural communities of Zambia’s Western Province through a comparative analysis between Chinese and non-Chinese companies
Only 7.5%, 22.2 %, 23.8% and 3% of respondents associated with companies CH1, ZAM1, SA1 and CH2, respectively, reported that the concession provides off cuts or planks to local communities. While these results suggest that logging companies operating in Zambia’s Western province generally provide limited services and infrastructure to local communities, they highlight a significant difference

Summary

Introduction

China’s trade in forest products with the rest of the world has dramatically increased, positioning the country among the most significant markets in the global forestry industry. Africa’s share of China’s total imports of timber remains comparatively low, to some countries on the continent, China represents the largest single market for timber While the majority of timber shipped from Africa to China is from the Congo Basin, the miombo woodlands of Southern and Eastern Africa have emerged as a source of specific valuable hardwoods used to produce antique style furniture and other luxury goods (Huang et al 2012, Wertz-Kanounnikoff et al 2013). Chinese imports from the miombo woodlands largely come from Mozambique, much recent research revolves around that country (German & Wertz Kanounnikoff 2012, Mackenzie 2006, Mackenzie & Ribeiro 2009 and Wertz Kanounnikoff et al 2013). Most recently, Chinese demand for timber from Zambia has begun to take off (Figure 1)

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