China's annual exports of Chinese herbal medicines to more than 20,000 tons

Recently, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Medicines and Health and the Japanese Herbal Pharmaceutical Preparation Association held a symposium in Beijing to exchange views on strengthening the communication and cooperation between the Chinese and Japanese medicines and health products. Both parties agreed that the safety and quality of products is an important guarantee for the quality of life and safety of lives of the peoples of both countries and must not be taken lightly. At the same time, it is hoped that both companies will use Chinese herbal medicines as a platform to further strengthen the communication of pharmaceuticals information and promote traditional medicine to contribute to the lives of the Japanese people.

During the discussion, the Japanese side spoke highly of the Chinese government's positive and proper handling of the dumpling incident that occurred recently, calling it "a successful model for Sino-Japanese cooperation."

Japan is one of the most important export markets for Chinese herbal medicines, with an annual export volume of more than 20,000 tons.

Japan's Kampo medicine market is approximately US$1 billion, and 70%-80% of its crude drug raw materials are imported from China. The main varieties are: ginseng, Pinellia, licorice, white peony root and alfalfa and other large medicinal herbs.

“As the demand of Japanese customers is relatively stable, the impact of the financial crisis on the export of Chinese medicinal materials is not great. This year, the export value to Japan will exceed 80 million U.S. dollars. However, due to the drop in domestic herbal medicine market prices and the increase in export pressure, The unit price of exports is likely to show a downward trend.” The relevant person in charge of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Drugs briefed reporters on the future export situation of Chinese herbal medicines.

In 2008, due to the slowdown in the world economy, the decline in international purchasing power, and the appreciation of the renminbi, China's Chinese herbal medicines exports showed a declining price. From January to September, China's Chinese herbal medicines exported a total of 162,000 tons, down 16.1% year-on-year, and the export volume reached 390 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 17.2%. In the first three quarters, the main export markets for Chinese herbal medicines were Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Taiwan.

According to reports from relevant companies, since the dumpling incident took place, Japanese media deliberately demonized Chinese-manufactured products, which had a very bad influence on imports of traditional Chinese medicines and other products, leading to difficulties in the export of Chinese medicine to Japan.

In fact, the Chinese government has always attached importance to product quality and safety, and the quality and safety of food and medicine has become the most important task of the relevant government departments in China. The Chinese government has taken comprehensive measures to strengthen the management of Chinese medicinal materials, protect the germplasm and genetic resources of Chinese medicines, strengthen the research on optimal and excellent breeding and the provenance of Chinese herbs, and improve the quality of Chinese medicines from the source.

The above-mentioned person in charge of the Medicare Chamber of Commerce said in an interview with reporters that at present China has established a database of traditional Chinese medicines and germplasm resources, carried out studies on the protection of rare and endangered Chinese herbal resources, and completely banned the use of rare and endangered animals such as rhino horn and tiger bone, limiting natural musk. The scope of use of rare Chinese medicine resources such as natural bezoar and other resources, and research on alternatives to rare and endangered Chinese medicine resources. The raw materials of Chinese Herbal Medicine Pieces and Chinese Patent Medicines have been artificially cultivated, and standard planting and industrialized production are gradually being developed.

In 2002, the state promulgated and implemented the “Standards for Quality Management of Chinese Medicinal Materials (for Trial Implementation)” (referred to as “Chinese Medicinal Materials GAP”), and currently has been conducting trials of GAP certification for Chinese medicinal materials nationwide. Drug regulatory authorities conducted on-site inspections of enterprises that submitted certification applications. By the end of 2007, 48 enterprises had passed the GAP certification for Chinese medicinal materials. Since 2004, the State has promoted the GMP certification of Chinese Herbal Medicines and promoted the modernization of Chinese Herbal Pieces. By the end of 2007, 343 companies had passed the GMP certification of Chinese Herbal Medicines. From January 1, 2008, all Chinese Herbal Pieces production enterprises must produce under the conditions of GMP compliance.