Purple coneflower industry takes root in Taiwan

2014-11-28

Government-backed efforts to develop Taiwan’s Echinacea purpurea, or purple coneflower, industry are paying dividends, with an array of locally produced health supplements entering the market.

More than a decade of research and numerous laboratory hours have been dedicated to adapting the herb to Taiwan’s tropical-to-temperate climate by the Council of Agriculture’s Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station. Around a hectare of the plants are under organic cultivation in Hualien County’s Fenglin and Jian townships, as well as Caotun Township in Nantou County.

Chen Yu-hsing, the researcher tasked with overseeing the station’s purple coneflower development project, said the plant helps boost the immune system and is scientifically proven to fight viruses and aid in wound healing. “There is a huge global market out there worth roughly US$1 billion.”

The station has also developed related technologies and special formulas for use in producing tea drinks and health products made from the plant. Hsinchu County-headquartered Direct Biotechnology Corp. is one of four firms benefiting from a resultant technology transfer, and it recently marketed a range of drinks for children.

DBC product manager Pioneer Mao said the firm started its cooperation project with the station in 2012 and is in the promotional stage with product development. “To date, the response from overseas markets for the drinks has been extremely positive, with enquiries from India, Malaysia, Singapore and mainland China.

Bullish on the market potential of the drinks, Chen said Echinacea-based products for children in the U.S. account for the highest sales value. “They outstrip other products in the segment are represent a real growth opportunity for Taiwan manufacturers.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=224549&CtNode=413)