A batch of herbal banxia (the tuber of pinellia) worth 219,000 yuan ($30,911.68) completed customs inspections in Tianshui, Gansu province, and is expected to arrive in South Korea.

The Xihe banxia made in Longnan, Gansu province [Photo by Jiang Ling for Lanzhou Daily]

The export, processed by the Longnan Junyutang Import and Export Trade Co, has tapped into the global market for the first time.

Longnan in Gansu province is abound with as many as 430 kinds of wild Chinese medicinal materials, among which the city’s Xihe county is rich in banxia.

Xihe banxia has been recognized as a National Geographical Indication Product by virtue of its large particles, good shape, and pollution-free traits, and is gaining popularity among consumers.

"Thanks to the hands-on skills and guidance given by customs, our products went abroad without a hitch. We are going to explore more overseas markets," said He Xiaolong, head of the company.