China's finished TCM exports decline in H1
Shanghai. August 25. INTERFAX-CHINA - The export value of China's finished traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) decreased by 5.38 percent year-on-year to $75.3 million in the first six months of this year, according to a report issued by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products (CCCMHPIE) on Aug. 24.
Monthly statistics from the CCCMHPIE report showed that the export value of China's finished TCMs averaged approximately $10 million in January and February this year but rebounded to $12.81 million in April, $13.52 million in May and $13.99 million in June this year.
During the six-month period, China exported finished TCMs totaling approximately $30 million in value to Hong Kong, making it the largest export destination, which was followed by Japan and the United States. Notwithstanding, the value of finished TCMs exported to Vietnam increased by 60.64 percent on an annual basis.
"About 60 percent of finished TCMs sold in Vietnam are manufactured overseas, with the majority imported from China. The growth in exports could mean that Chinese companies increased marketing efforts to Vietnam," Huo Wei, a researcher with the CCCMHPIE, told Interfax on Aug. 25.
From January to June, Beijing Tongrentang Co. Ltd., Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Import and Export Corp. were the three leading exporters of Chinese-made finished TCMs.
The export value of Pientzehuang Pharma's Pientzehuang brand name products and Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd.'s Baiyao brand name products grew by 12.94 percent and 69.54 percent year-on-year respectively, according to the report.
"Baiyao Group faced a shortage in raw materials for its Baiyao brand name products, which caused the export price of its products to rise," Huo said.
China's finished TCM exports was impacted by the financial crisis as the value of exports to the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany slumped in the first half of this year, according to the report.
Finished TCM export destinations by value, January to June 2009
| Region | Value ($10,000) | Y-o-y growth (%) | Amount (tons) | |
| 1 | Hong Kong | 3,199.50 | 8.00 | 1542 |
| 2 | Japan | 638.50 | -10.01 | 240 |
| 3 | United States | 527.02 | 8.52 | 630 |
| 4 | Singapore | 345.37 | 7.64 | 257 |
| 5 | Malaysia | 320.36 | -23.92 | 395 |
| 6 | Vietnam | 255.08 | 60.64 | 119 |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 197.37 | -28.32 | 155 |
| 8 | Canada | 149.99 | 0.31 | 89 |
| 9 | United Arab Emirates | 148.63 | -69.05 | 116 |
| 10 | Australia | 146.85 | -22.64 | 81 |
Source: CCCMHPIE
Leading finished TCM exports by value, January to June 2009
| Products | Value ($10,000) | Y-o-y growth (%) | Amount (tons) | |
| 1 | Pientzehuang series | 901.37 | 12.94 | 1.52 |
| 2 | Essential balm | 604.73 | -21.85 | 1080. |
| 3 | Baiyao series | 127.78 | 69.45 | 15.73 |
Source: CCCMHPIE
Top 10 Chinese exporters of finished TCMs by value, January to June 2009
| 1 | Beijing Tongrentang Co. Ltd. |
| 2 | Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. |
| 3 | Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Import and Export Corp. |
| 4 | Xiamen Hubiao Medicine Co. Ltd. |
| 5 | Tong Ren Tang Technologies Co. Ltd. |
| 6 | Tianjin Zhongxin Pharmaceutical Group Corp. |
| 7 | Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd. |
| 8 | Shanghai Pharmaceutical (Group) Co. Ltd. |
| 9 | Peili Pharmaceutical Industrial Ltd. |
| 10 | Tianjin Tanabe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. |
Source: CCCMHPIE
-KZ