Stevia extract becomes a new export star of plant extract

According to the latest customs statistics, in 2009, the export volume of Stevia extract reached 84.3 million US dollars, an increase of 132% year on year; the export volume was about 1754 tons, an increase of 90% year on year According to the data of China Chamber of Commerce for the import and export of medical and health products, the export volume of Stevia extract in China was less than US $1 million in 2000 Since 2006, the export growth has accelerated In 2009, the export volume has been 84 times of that in 2000 - Stevia extract has become a new star in the export of plant extract in China Before 2006, stevia extract was only a small variety in China's plant extract industry, with an annual export volume of only several million US dollars At the end of December 2008, the U.S FDA passed the formal approval of stevioside as a sweetener, and France also gave stevioside a two-year market access observation period in 2008 So far, the world's two largest natural sweetener markets have opened their doors to stevioside extract, and China's stevioside export has entered a period of accelerated growth Figure 1 the rapid growth of Stevia extract export in China from 2004 to 2009 is also attributed to two export enterprises with foreign investment background - Ganzhou Julong hi tech Industry Co., Ltd and Qingdao Runde Biotechnology Co., Ltd The former is the largest Stevia extract production and export enterprise in China, with the export volume accounting for more than 50% of the total export volume of Stevia extract in China; the latter is a foreign-funded enterprise invested and established by GLG group in 2006 The total export volume of these two companies accounts for more than 80% of the total export volume of Stevia extract in China Therefore, the export situation of these two companies basically determines the export situation of Stevia extract in China In 2009, the export of Stevia extract in China was hardly affected by the international financial crisis, and the export volume in most months was more than 100% year-on-year Among them, the export volume in September reached US $13.56 million, a year-on-year increase of 363% Figure 2 monthly export of Stevia extract in 2009 the main export markets of Stevia extract in China include: Malaysia, Mexico, the United States, Japan and Hong Kong In recent years, Malaysia has become the main export market of Stevia extract in China, with the export share accounting for more than 60% However, Malaysia is not the final consumer market of Stevia extract, it is just a transit base Stevia extract in China is distributed to all over the world through Stevia company in Malaysia Due to the strong global market demand and the release of Stevia extract from various countries and regions, the export of Stevia extract in China will continue to grow strongly this year, and the stevia extract industry is becoming more and more concentrated The export of several major manufacturers, especially two enterprises with foreign background, will affect the trend of the whole industry At the same time, more and more domestic enterprises begin to go to the international market, and gradually occupy a certain market share It is believed that Stevia extract industry will show a vigorous development trend in the future.