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Export Potential of Herbal and Medicinal Plants in India
Dr. Vinod Singh & Mrs. Shaili Vadera
Nov 2010
Nov 2010
There is an awakening all over the world on the use of age old wisdom of traditional systems of medicine for treatment of various ailments and diseases. Herbal Remedies are used by people in almost every corner of the world in some form or the other. The main occupation of majority of people living in rural India still continues to be agriculture. About 70% of the Indian population, including the rural and the tribal population is sustaining on traditional agricultural practices as a source of livelihood. Besides growing edible food crops like vegetables, fruits, cereals and pulses, the farmers also grow various types of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) which constitute an integral part of traditional home remedies.
India's Export Performance of Medicinal Plants Since 1991
Despite tremendous advances in modern science, the interest in alternative modes of treatment is rising in the western countries towards herbal products. India and China are two of the largest countries in Asia, which have the richest arrays of registered and relatively well-known medicinal plants. India is still lagging behind in exports of herbal medicines in the world as shown in the graph below. World over China commands the supreme position in export trade in medicinal herbs. Today, one fourth of the world population depends on traditional medicines. India's share in medicinal plant export in global trade is very low about 8.13% as against 28% of China.
The trend growth rate of India from the year 1991 to 2002 shows 4.95% growth of world export value of medicinal plants. Similarly the trend growth rate of China from 1991-2002 is 7.38%.
Market Demand and Scope of Trade Related to Herbal and Medicinal Plants in India
India is a land to about 17,000 species of higher plants, out of which 7500 are known for their therapeutic uses. Ayurveda, has alone reported approximately 2000 medicinal plant species, followed by Siddha and Unani. The Charak Samhita, an ancient written document with rich literature regarding herbal therapy, production of around 340 herbal drugs and their indigenous uses for curing various ailments and diseases. According to a study (Kate 1999), 18% of the world's top 150 prescription drugs are derived from plant sources. The demand for medicinal plant-based raw materials is growing at the rate of 15 to 25% annually worldwide. Global market size for herbal and medicinal plants is estimated at US$ 60 billion and is projected to reach US$ 5 trillion by 2050 (source WHO 2003). About 75% to 80% of the total exports of crude drugs come from India.
India dominates the world market in production and export of Psyllium husk and seeds. India exports 80% of the psyllium available in the world market. The United States is the world's largest importer of psyllium "husk" with over 60% of total imports going to pharmaceutical firms. Metamucil, is India's single largest customer.
Due to awareness about Isabgol, demand is pouring in from Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, Spain and UK. India is also a leading producer of menthol and now dominates 70% of the world market. Other Medicinal plants that have established export demand include senna leaves & pods, sandalwood chips, Jojoba seeds, aloe, pyrethrum, basil, neem, chirayata etc. Recent market trends indicate that the export market in India is growing faster than the domestic market. India is also one of the major exporters of crude drugs mainly to the six developed countries-USA, Germany, France, Switzerland, UK and Japan. After making the presence felt in the US and EU, Indian traditional medicinal plants will now venture into new territories namely — Australia and New Zealand.
The government of India has also initiated several schemes for encouraging cultivation and promotion of herbals across India. Some commercially important Medicinal Plants are:- Amla, Chirata, Kalmegh, Safed Musali, Ashok, Daruhaldi, Kokum, Sarpgandha, Ashwagandha, Giloe, Kuth, Senna, Atees, Gudmar Kutki, Shatavari, Bael, Guggal, Makoy, Tulsi, Bhumi, Amlaki, Isabgol, Mulethi, Vai Vidang, Brahmi, Jatamansi, Patharchur (Coleus), Vatsnabh, Chandan, Kalihari, Pippal, etc.
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14 Comments >>
Super Hero
22 May 2012 (07:03:28)
be carefull with N.S.NASAKA . Pleas read review here : http://www.dzproduct.com/2012/02/nasaka-international.htm
Chandan Karanth
09 May 2012 (02:53:55)
I have medicinal plant nursery, could you please help me out how can I, expand my market, or export my products, if can, what are the products that i should produce.
Sandesh Mhamunkar
09 May 2012 (03:00:59)
I can supply the Raw or Processed herb of all Varieties available in Konkan, Maharashtra,India. Pls let me know your requirements.. sandesh.mhamunkar@gmail.com
N.S.NASAKA
08 May 2012 (15:24:16)
DEAR SIRS:
WE INTRODUCE OURSELVES AS LEADING IMPORTER OF ALL RANGE
OF PRODUCTS IN BULK SUBJECT TO APPOINT US AS YOUR SOLE
AGENTS FOR PAKISTAN SO YOU PLEASE SEND US SOON YOUR
COMPLETE BROCHURES WITH YOUR LOWEST PRICE SO WE CAN
SUBMIT TO OUR GOVERNMENT TO GET AND IMPORT PERMIT THAN
WE COULD TO BE SOLD YOUR PRODUCTS HERE EASILY TO OUR
COUNTRY'S POOR PEOPLE.
PLEASE EXPEDITE TO SEND US YOUR LOWEST PRICES C&F KARACHI SEA
PORT-PAKISTAN.
REPLY TO: nasakaint@gmail.com
THANKING YOU,
N.S.NASAKA
CHAIRMAN
NASAKA INTERNATIONAL
"NASAKA HOUSE"
P.O.BOX 8988 P.E.C.H.S. NURSERY
KARACHI-75400-PAKISTAN
CELL:0092-321-3863911
SKYPE: nasakaint1
Dr. Samunder singh
17 Apr 2012 (00:40:47)
i m interested for herbal medicinal plant in India. please provide me details. I am Dr. Electropathy / Electro-homeopathy practitioner. I want a manufacture herbal medicines or dietary supplements,cosmetics & other products. sir please suggest me. cont. 09991215418
Sangeeta Sharma
03 Mar 2012 (02:30:02)
I am the manufacturer of ayurvedic medicines, diatery supplements,cosmetics & other OTC products. I hv the manufacturing exp.of 20 yrs.Now I want to come into export mkting pl suggest me.Buyers may also contact on 9355329425.
Saravanan
31 Jan 2012 (04:04:44)
I'm basically from Siddha/Ayurveda practitioner family. Would like to do business in selling sidda/ayurvedha raw materials. please advise on how to proceed
H.R.Khan
14 Dec 2011 (10:35:15)
I m a Bangladeshi man .I m involved in garments export.
I hv some cultivated land where is posible to cultivate medicinal plant.but I dont know which tree/plant is exportable .
I shall be highly glad if you pls provide me the idea abt it.
H.R.Khan
pawan jain
14 Dec 2011 (11:58:00)
i was in a trading business of ayurvedic medicines.. for last 30 years.... and i almost deals in all branded ayur. companies... i was having a ayurvedic manufacturing unit also.. and i want to go for export business of my pharmacy products.. kindly assist me regarding this... my no. is 9829090920
Vivek
29 Nov 2011 (01:44:52)
Hi,
this report seem to be very useful. request you to send all this kind of reports and updates to the given mail ID.
Thanks and regards,
Vivek
deepti
27 Sep 2011 (03:49:31)
what is cost of cultivation of gudmar per acre and what is the profit per acre.
sir please suggest me.
deepti verma
27 Sep 2011 (03:50:39)
what is cost of cultivation of gudmar per acre and what is the profit per acre.
sir please suggest me.
PINAKI ATTREYA
08 Jul 2011 (07:44:22)
i got great knowledge about indian herbal exports.
shyamaprasad shome
07 Mar 2011 (11:40:05)
i m interested for exporting herbal plant from india. pl provide me details
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