Affected by the global financial crisis, China’s imports and exports of major forest products during the first half of 2009 continued to drop compared to the same period 2008. Despite the overall drop, a slight upward trend was seen in the second quarter. Data from customs agencies shows the total trade value of forest products in China reached about USD26 billion in the first half of 2009, down 16% from the first half of 2008. Imports by value were USD11.1
billion, down 21% from the previous year. Exports by value were USD14.9 billion, down 12% from last year. However, exports by value during second quarter rose 15% over the first quarter.