For the first time ever, luminaries from across the world met in Delhi to discuss the strengthening and scientific validation of traditional systems of medicine.
The four-day event – International Arogya 2017 – is hosting 1,500 delegates from across 60 countries. Following China India is the world’s second largest Herbal Products Exporter and both countries jointly produce more than 70 % of the overall global demand for herbal products, a whitepaper launched at the event notes.
According to Pharmexcil’s most recent figures, China leads the globe in the export of herbal products with a total of $1329.72 million, followed by India with $ 790.56 million.
“We are second only to china in the world in the exports of herbals. Of the total Rs.14000 crore pharmaceutical exports, India’s Ayush and herbals contribute approximately Rs.1400 crore. We have a huge potential to grow and in the coming days if our exports grow at 20 per cent every year we can beat China by 2020,” said Dr P V Appaji, DG, Pharmexcil.
From an export of Rs.591.43 crore in 2008-09 to Rs.701.44 crore in 2009-10 India’s Ayush exports have seen a whopping increase of Rs.110.01 crore during in a period of just one year. While in the subsequent year 2010-11 this phenomena of increase has not been maintained. The export figure for Ayush products for the year 2010-11 accounts to Rs.711.12 crore which is just an increase of Rs.9.68 crore from the previous year.
“When compared to prior export performance reports, the 10th five-year plan showed a commendable increase in the use of Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, and homoeopathic (Ayush) medicines, medicinal plants, and their by-products,” he said. According to a comprehensive status report on the country’s ayurvedic business, which details trends up to the year 2008, exports of ayurvedic products have steadily increased since 2003–04, while imports have decreased.
If one considers net value addition, the ayurvedic and herbal industry grew by 10.89% over a 13-year period, from 1995–1996 to 2007–2008.
In the fiscal year 2010–11, Ayush exports totaled Rs. 711.12 crore, of which Rs. 176.50 crore came from medicines and Rs. 534.62 crore from pharmaceuticals.
The herbal exports too have seen a considerable increase of Rs.36.76 crore from Rs.570.76 crore in the year 2009-10 to Rs.602.57 crore in the year 2010-11.
The major herbal exports of India include Psyllium seeds Senna leaves and pads, and various other herbs and herbal products. Psyllium husk (isabgol husk) contributes a significant portion of all herbal exports, amounting to Rs. 425.05 crore.
The major countries where Indian herbals are exported include Russia, USA, Kazakhstan, UAE, Nepal, Ukraine, Japan, Philippines, Kenya and Mauritania. Russia is a world leader in the list with sustantial import value of Rs.138.94 crore of Ayush and herbals from India. The second-largest importer, America (USA), contributed Rs. 103.14 crore, and Kazakhstan came in third place, contributing Rs. 55.24 crore to India’s Ayush and herbals for the fiscal year 2010–11.
