China's import and export of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) reached US$855 million in the first seven months of 2007, up 13.2% compared with the same period last year, according to China Daily quoting figures from the China Customs.

From January to July, exports of TCM, mostly herbs, rose 13.7% over the same period last year to US$666 million, while imports, including seaweeds and fish oil, went up 11.4% to reach US$188 million.

Almost two thirds of the medicine went to Asia, notably China's Hong Kong, Japan and the Republic of Korea, contributing to 70.6% of the total demand in Asian market.

The United States and Germany are the major TCM consumers outside Asia, accounting for 15% and 3% respectively of exports.