County Down company sells herbal medicine to China

Invest Northern Ireland has assisted a County Down herbal medicine company, to obtain a contract selling natural medicinal lotions, sprays and liquids to China where herbal medicine has been practised for thousands of years.

The small company, Botanica International, based at Narrow Water Castle, in Warrenpoint, manufactures healing products for animals and humans using natural and non-toxic ingredients such as plants and herbs.

During an Invest Northern Ireland export scoping visit to China last year, a leading local Chinese veterinarian products company, Kangmu, took a strong interest in Botanica's products.

During a three month trial of the product, Botanica's product achieved a 90% success rate, instantly establishing its credentials among local interested partners.

The company is also being assisted by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) which has facilitated greater communication between both sides, resulting in the signing of an export contract in June.

The contract will be for exports of Botanica products to China over the next 10 years.

Sean Cooney, Managing Director of Botanica International, said: "The role of Invest Northern Ireland, the British Consulate-General Shanghai and the British Embassy Beijing in facilitating Botanica International was extremely important. We knew our product was as good as the trials have proven, but it would not have happened unless we met the right people, and the Embassy was instrumental in this."

“Our products tap into a growing awareness of the advantages to natural ingredient and environmentally-friendly products among thoughtful consumers and producers in China.”

Invest NI’s Trade Director, Alan Hingston, said: “This is a good example of a small company which is achieving success from initial market research conducted during one of our trade missions.

“We’ve also provided the company with expert advice and enabled it to access the UK trade network in China for on-the-ground guidance and support.”

(EF)