BEIJING, Nov. 27, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- China's production capacity of

vitamin C is seriously excessive and it is imperative that industry regulators address the issue, according to a survey released by the National Development and Reform Commission's (NDRC).

The survey was jointly conducted by the NDRC and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The survey showed that the total production capacity of existing the domestic vitamin C facilities in China, under construction or proposed provides more than 80,000 metric tons (tonnes).

It is estimated that by the end of 2010, the production capacity of vitamin C would reach 180,000 tonnes, and in 2012, the figure would be more than 200,000 tonnes.

The survey points out that the growth rate of the vitamin C production capacity has far exceeded market demand. And if this current trend continues, Chinese vitamin C production capacity would exceed more than double global market demand, and trigger vicious competition.

At present, the global consumption of vitamin C totals around 100,000 tonnes while China's consumption is about 20,000.

Meanwhile, the global production capacity of Vitamin C is about 150,000 tonnes. China's five pharmaceutical manufacturers, including the Northeast General Pharmaceutical Factory (NEGPF), produce 127,000 tonnes.

China holds the world's majority of vitamin C market share. This is mainly due to its advantages such as a high degree of industrial concentration, large scale installations, and advanced technologies. The vitamin C industry is one of China's few industries that have not been affected in the global financial crisis.