China’s API Export Value up but Volume down in 1H 2012

In the first half of 2012, China produced 1.39 million tons of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), growing 6.1% year-on-year. The output in June increased 1.3% YOY to 251 000 tons.
   In the fist half, China exported 3.07 million tons of API, down 0.1% YOY, at the average price of US$3.8/kg, gaining 5.3% YOY, totaling US$11.6 billion, up 5.2% YOY. A total of 174 countries (regions) imported API from China during this period, and 56% of them spent more money in purchasing.
   Rising export value was not enough to guarantee profits however. On the contrary, some companies suffered losses because of overcapacity and common product quality. Moreover, due to the sluggish rebound of the world’s economy and the worsening European debt crisis, global demand can hardly grow, which is another challenge to the development of China’s API industry.