American Origin Products: The Ginseng Story

Butch Weege President, American Origin Products Association

Past Int’l Marketing Director, Ginseng Board of WI

Native Habitat

•  Canopy Under Deciduous Hardwood •  Rich, well-drained soils

• Grows best in 70-80% shade

– Slow-growing & long-lived •  Life spans 30 -50+ years

4

7

8

9

11

12

16

An Industry In Crisis

Piracy Is Destroying An Industry

1990

Growers: 1,400 Production: 2.4 million lbs. Value: $125 million

2015

Growers: 183 Production: 0.6 million lbs. Value: $45 million

Wisconsin Ginseng Industry Profile:

2005

Growers: 140 Production: .5 million lbs. Value: $15 million

17

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 China 22.9 48.8 55 105.4 67.3 65.7 85.4 125.5 136.4 121.9 42.6 117.8 163.3 80.6 106.3 181.5 229.4 74.3 123.1 140.7

Hong Kong 605.9 549.1 524.5 483.5 301.3 274.8 286.3 142.2 92.2 124.8 36.3 26 89.1 84.6 109 97.7 86.3 71.7 97.6 55.7

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

History of U.S. Ginseng Exports by Volume (MT)

China Hong Kong

US Ginseng Exports to China & Hong Kong, 1995 - 2015

What Can GI’s Bring to the Table?

u  Preserve Heritage and Skills

u  Create jobs that stay

u  Promote Regional Reputation and Tourism

u  Drive Export Demand and Revenue

u  Assure High Quality

u  Through Traceability Increase Consumer Trust

Our Solution: American Origin Products Association

(AOPA) – 501c6 &

American Origin Products Research Foundation (AOPRF) – 501c3

Key Goals of these Organizations

•  Recognition for AOPs as GI’s •  Mutual recognition not only in the current U.S./EU trade

negotiations but in other scenario’s as well •  Enforceable funded protection •  Research collaboration for rural development benefits