Oct 22, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Timber imports through the Zhangjiagang sea port in China during the first half of 2010 totalled 1.79 million cubic metres, worth $504 million. Timber imports increased by 21% in volume and 53% in value over the same period in 2009. Of the total, 61,000 cubic metres were imported in containers which is 82% more compared the same period last year, ITTO reported. Imported logs through the Zhangjiagang port accounted for 33% of the total logs imported to Jiangsu Province and 11% of total imports in China. Out of the total timber imports through the Zhangjiagang port, some 8,600 cubic metres were sawnwood imports. In the first half of 2010, imports from Oceania through the Zhangjiagang sea port amounted to 693 800 cubic metres of logs, down 7% from the same period last year. However, the decrease of imports from Oceania through Zhangjiagang resulted mainly from allocation of imports through other ports in Jiangsu Province. Total imports of logs from PNG through Jiangsu Province reached 1,131,600 cubic metres and imports from Solomon Islands amounted to 693,600 cubic metres, up 51% and 54% respectively. Imports of African logs through the Zhangjiagang sea port totalled 803,000 cubic metres during the first half period of 2010. Log imports increased by 22% in volume over the same period last year. Some 280,700 cubic metres of logs were imported from Southeast Asia in the first half of 2010, a 282% jump over the same period last year. The main reason for a sharp increase in Southeast Asian log imports was the large amount of small diameter logs imported from Sabah Malaysia. Log imports from Myanmar also increased significantly. During the first half of 2010, monthly imports through the Zhangjiagang sea port exceeded 300,000 cubic metres except in March. However, tropical timber selling prices in the Zhangjiagang sea port remained at low levels, despite higher FOB prices and ocean freight costs.