China's blood pressure monitor exports decline
Shanghai. December 18. INTERFAX-CHINA - China's value of blood pressure monitor exports declined by nearly 15 percent year-on-year in the first 10 months of this year, according to a report issued by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Pharmaceuticals and Health Products (CCCMHPIE) on Dec. 17.
According to the report, exports of blood pressure monitors were valued at $283.44 million from January to October this year, down 14.84 percent from the same period of last year.
This marks the first time that China's exports of blood pressure monitors has witnessed a decline since 2004. From 2005 to 2008, China's blood pressure monitor exports maintained two-digit growth rates within the range of 11 percent and 19 percent. The report attributed the export decline to the negative impact of the global financial crisis.
Figures from the chamber showed that the export value of blood pressure monitors to European countries during the period declined 33 percent year-on-year. In particular, exports to Germany dropped 17.58 percent year-on-year while exports to the Netherlands dropped 37.79 percent year-on-year. Outside of Europe, exports to Russia dropped 33.61 percent against the same period of last year and exports to the US declined 3.93 percent year-on-year. All four countries are within the top 10 destination countries for China's blood pressure monitor exports.
According to the report, both foreign blood pressure monitor manufacturers in China, including Omron Dalian Co. Ltd. and Panasonic Electric Works (Beijing) Co. Ltd., as well as domestic blood pressure monitor makers have been significantly affected by the sluggish exports this year.
In this respect, domestic makers are increasing efforts to market blood pressure monitors, especially electronic versions, as gifts for middle-aged and elderly family members during Chinese festivals since the Chinese population is increasingly paying more attention to health care, the report said.
- KZ