China’s Appetite for Rosewood Is Causing Chaos in Africa

Beijing should act to rein in a $2 billion industry.

Workers stack lumber in Eldama Ravine, Baringo county, Kenya. September 9, 2025, 2:28 PM

Many wealthy Chinese cherish the elegance and artistry of rosewood ( hongmu ) furniture. Famous for its rich burgundy color, its intricate Ming and Qing dynasty-style carvings, and its shockingly high price tag—a single bed can fetch $1 million— hongmu is distinctly Chinese. The wood’s allure is linked to the grandeur of late imperial China, and as the country has grown richer consumers have developed a seemingly insatiable appetite for it.

Historically, Chinese emperors commissioned artisans to carve local rosewood trees. Today most rosewood species are threatened or endangered

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