Read the full article in China Daily (2005-11-02)
"Shikimic acid is the base material for the production of Tamiflu, the only drug available that combats the deadly strain of avian flu, which some fear may kill millions of humans.
"The new market value and soaring fears of a Tamiflu shortage have triggered a price surge for star anise in its main production regions of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangdong, Yunnan and Fujian provinces.
"In Guangxi, the price has doubled in the past week.
"'It has risen from 5 yuan (US$60 cents) a kilogram to 8.2 yuan (US$1) a kilogram since October 25,' said Cheng Jimin, a wholesaler in Wuzhou, who has since taken stock of 60 tons of the fruit.
"'The big buyer hasn't come yet,' said Cheng, referring to Roche Holding AG, the Switzerland- based drug maker of Tamiflu. 'We are expecting a higher price.'
"The stockpiling of star anise goes against previous media reports which talked of a shortage. Some Internet reports claimed that about 90 per cent of star anise in China had been sourced by Roche."
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
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