hoodia industry is under pressure to put its home in order to take advantage of the high prices being offered on the market now, the expert stated. There are plenty of companies nowadays are selling hoodia that is mixed with spinach or wood shavings at rock bottom prices. Like for instance, a hoodia with mix can be purchase for about US$40/kg while the genuine product is going for about US$200/kg.
hoodia was formally used by the San and Nama tribes in Namibia, in US. Rikus Muller, Executive Director (Processing and New Business Development) of Grassroots, a South African natural products company stated that there is plenty of interest in the EU but the product can't be sold in there since they need to cross the barrier in order to get in to the market.
What they have to do not is give scientific backing in the form of clinical studies in order to prove that hoodia really can suppress appetite. Muller said that they need some proof in order to in order for them to make easier to say that hoodia is safe to use. And in order to make hoodia be legally listed in the EU will cost no less than 50000 Euros. Muller said that the three main players which are Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, to put their house in order to develop the markets.
This year, South Africa expects to plant between six and ten million plants, with the 3 countries, but in Namibia has three million plants under cultivation, which is mainly in the Hardap region. He said that the 3 countries have to forces and work together to make sure that the controlling bodies in the USA have scientific proof of the plant. In testing the products it will take weeks. Clinical trials may take up to eight months, Muller added.
The company, in which supplies high-class dried botanicals for human and animal medicines, is already joining together hoodia in a fruit bar called Froodia, in Rooibos tea and in fruit juices. Hogran Chairperson, Dougal Bassingthwaighte, said this week that there are ready markets, but the industry cannot supply the product as yet.
Currently, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has received three applications from companies to manufacture hoodia in Namibia. Louisa Mupetami, Chairperson of the hoodia Working Group, stated that the companies, which she cannot name now, would be eligible to manufacture depending on their experience and also possession of appropriate documentation from the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
