Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan lead in supplying raw materials for traditional Chinese medicine

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have been recognized as leading exporters of pharmaceutical raw materials to China, according to China’s official news agency, Xinhua.

In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 3,000 tons of raw materials for traditional Chinese medicine were imported into China through the Khorgos customs checkpoint in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

One of the most sought-after materials is the root of Glycyrrhiza (commonly known as licorice root), which is native to Central Asia and has gained strong popularity among Chinese pharmaceutical companies. Since the beginning of the year, one logistics firm alone has imported more than 950 tons of this ingredient.

To streamline trade further, a new pharmaceutical raw materials trading platform was launched in March 2025 in Xinjiang. The platform aims to ensure a seamless import-export channel between Xinjiang and Central Asian nations, facilitating greater efficiency in the exchange of medicinal goods.