Himalaya Drug Company, a herbal products major, expects to increase its export sales from 20 percent to 50 percent for the next financial year, 2004-05.

Himalaya, which already has presence in the US, Middle East and far East plans to enter markets in Australia, New Zealand, West Europe by the end of this year. "We will deepen our penetration in terms of more visibility in the markets where we already have made our presence felt. We also plan to enter into a strategic alliance in order to market and distribute our products in the newer countries," The Himalaya Drug Company President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ravi Prasad told The Asian Age.

"The international markets make a huge potential for the company as consumers in other countries are going for well-researched herbal products," he added.

Speaking on the retail expansion in the domestic market, Mr. Prasad said, the company plans to increase from 60 outlets to 75 and then to 100 outlets along with shop-in-shops from 125 to 250 by the end of this year.

The Rs.350 crore company has witnessed a significant growth in its consumer health division, which was launched in 2003. This division alone has contributed Rs.45 crore to the overall revenue.

Mr. R V Raman, the business head, Consumer Health Division of Himalaya said, "Honey is significantly contributing to the Company's turnover and Chyavanaprasha has a market share of 5 per cent."

We are poised for major expansion and will be working more on the paediatric range."

On the new products - Shahicool Sharbat and Gripe Water, which were launched in Bangalore, Himalaya expects an addition of Rs.7 crore to Rs.8 crore to the total turnover for the fiscal 2004-05.