The China Guyang Astragalus Industry Development Summit took place on Sept 1 in Guyang county, Baotou city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The summit focused on analyzing the progress of astragalus research, its industrial applications, and market prospects.

Representatives from participating enterprises and industry experts check the quality of an astragalus production line in Guyang. [Photo/Baotou news network]

Astragalus, or huangqi, is a traditional Chinese herb that supports the immune system, heart health, and liver function. It has been used as an adaptogen in China for thousands of years.

At the summit, Junkang Astragalus Industrial (Guyang) Technology Co unveiled 22 new astragalus products across four categories – astragalus plant beverages, concentrated drinks, tablets, and traditional Chinese medicines – along with three astragalus wine by-products.

"We have established a joint laboratory with China Pharmaceutical University to purify beneficial astragalus compounds, creating products that improve people's health and enhance immunity," said Li Chunyang, general manager of Junkang. The company's goal is to boost the added value of astragalus products.

After the summit, entrepreneurs from across China praised the potential of Guyang's astragalus industry and expressed their approval for developing the local industrial chain. Some pharmaceutical companies extended collaboration offers to Junkang.

Li Xiaolong, general manager of Anhui Huoshan Caiyunbian Supply and Marketing Cooperative Co, said, "I came here to assess the astragalus industry in Guyang. We are interested in collaborating with Junkang and are currently in negotiations."

Guyang county aims to build an astragalus industry cluster. According to Yao Junjie, secretary of the CPC Guyang Committee, "The county now has 1,700 mu (133 hectares) of wild astragalus cultivation, 1,540 mu of simulated cultivation, seven 1,000-mu organic green standard planting areas, and one 500-mu seedling cultivation base. This means that local farmers are cultivating over 200,000 mu of astragalus. Guyang's astragalus planting area now accounts for one-fifth of China's total."

Guyang has also established an astragalus industrial park, developing over 100 products across seven series, including pharmaceuticals, alcohol, cosmetics, food, tea, health supplements, and incense.

In 2023, the annual output value of Guyang's astragalus industry grew from 200 million yuan ($28.16 million) to 600 million yuan, with prospects to surpass 1 billion yuan this year.