A "game-changing" ban on commercial processing and trade in elephant ivory was implemented by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on December 31, 2017. TRAFFIC and WWF commissioned GlobeScan before the ban became effective in 2017 to conduct the largest-ever ivory consumer research in China. This research has been conducted annually using the same methodology and surveying consumers in the same 15 cities. We believe this to be the most in-depth, longest-running research effort into consumer demand for ivory to date.

WWF has conducted the largest consumer survey about ivory trade in China—2,000 people in 15 cities—for three consecutive years with GlobeScan, providing the best available assessment measuring changes in attitudes, purchasing and ban awareness over time.

This report provides the first analysis of trends in supply and demand for elephant ivory products in China’s markets since the new legislative changes. 

Following China’s announcement late last year of a domestic ivory trade ban by the end of 2017, TRAFFIC and WWF surveys have found that the number of ivory items offered for sale—in both legal and illegal ivory markets in China—has declined alongside falling ivory prices.

In an effort to tackle the challenge of “desire reduction” of consumers, WWF commissioned a guide, Reducing Desire for Elephant Ivory: A Psychosocial Guide to Address Elephant Ivory Consumption that presents a new lens through which to view conservation campaigns and their audiences taking on complex dimensions (psychological, cultural, social, and emotional) of elephant ivory consumption.