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2017 Ginseng Prices – Diggers and Dealers Information

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This is the discussion page for 2017 ginseng prices for diggers and dealers, not for information on how much ginseng roots cost for a retail buyer. Comments are closed now on the 2017 page.  Click here to go to the 2018 prices discussion page.


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2017 Ginseng Prices

If you hear something, please post a comment. Whenever I find anything out, I’ll add it here.

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AR (current as of 091717)

2017 Green Ginseng Prices:

$135/pound 2 inch + necks and/or 2+ oz.
$115/pound average size well dug.
$75/pound small/broken/gouged.

(update 11/1/17) Mills Ginseng is actively seeking green/fresh roots right now. I believe he can buy in MO and I know he buys in AR. The prices quoted above may not be current any longer, so take it as a guideline but contact him to find out the details. The link to his FB page is at the top of this listing.

INDIANA/OH (9/23/17)

Current update 10/25 from T. Manley Trading Co (574-275-2100): The market continues to improve, but not necessarily for all sections. The demand is definitely for larger and bulby roots. Small and broken roots are still a hard sell. If you are a selective digger (and you should be) you will find competitive offers. If you dig everything in sight (and some do) you will miss the party. Rumors of digger lots bringing prices close to $1000 lb are mostly unfounded. YES, some roots are worth that, but everything in the bag? Only on Appalachian Outlaws. Sorry Tony!!! Very little, if any 2017 ginseng has been exported. The market craze is driven by the assumption that the harvest is less than normal. and I believe it is! Anyway, best of luck to buyers and sellers.
Thanks again Madison for the site. I hope my comments and my years of experience add something of value to both diggers and dealers.

previous update: The market seems to be warming up in Indiana/Ohio .Still a little less than last season but my best guess is that the harvest is down. I am currently offering up to $500 for northern Indiana roots and I have already purchased several hundred lbs of fresh roots at $120 to $160 and I am looking for more.Also, I need all the goldenseal and Goldenseal herb I can get. ~ T Manley Trading Co
574.275.2100

KY, WV, VA, TN area update (082417):

Wild Ginseng Prices Estimated For 2017 by Billy Taylor – Estimate means most likely not written in stone.

Ok everyone I have talked to my buyers. It appears to be a little better than last year from the start. So here is my opinion of ginseng prices for this year. Most likely fresh will start around $128.oo a lb and end up around $196.00 lb for good quality and well dug.

Here at my place the price will be good for you from day one on fresh if you dig and handle correctly. All of you that know and deal with me know what I am talking about. The price I quote can be stronger. If you want a good price then dig and presnt your roots the way they should be. Correct age and Undamaged is key in a good buyer/digger relationship with me and my representitives.

Most likely dry will open at or around $400.00+ a lb and will end up around $575.oo+ and again the way you dig and handle is key to getting a good price at a better average than last year thank the Lord.

Ask your buyer to make sure, but we want our fresh ginseng unwashed and our dried ginseng washed. So if you sell to me or any of my representitives this is the way.

This price estimation is for Taylors. This is for the Ky Va Tn Wv area we do not relate our prices to high end zone areas like New York or any other areas where the foreign buyers think the ginseng is better and of greater value. Markets depend from state to state on what they think whether it is true or not and a lot of it is plain malarky <————– not sure that is a word, but there the buyers. Also in lower end zones dont exspect you buyers to be as high as I am because they cant get the price that I get here the same as I cant get what New York gets etc…Some zones will be $325 – $500 tops and $96 -$160 it depends on where you live and dig.

The price is a estimated guess from the information that I get and is usualy accurate every year if you have noticed, but with wild ginseng nothing is writting in stone. The market could bust or it could do better at any time. I give you this estimate each year around this time because I get a thousand text and private messages asking about prices so it makes it easier for me to just tell you all at once. So share if you like.

I do this for you all and I do it from estimated information to my best ability. It is most likely accurate, but agaib the ginseng market has no god’s of knowldge. So I will not allow trash talk or ignorence in the replys. Im not into all the foolishness and will not hear it. One should appreciate a honest mans words and not rail at them because he does not misslead.

Ok my best to you all brothers and sisters this year. Happy Hunting and remeber this God gave this to us to enjoy and to love. To share with our family and so forth. Be thankful for his freely giving gift that is giving free.

Billy.

OH 8/24/17

Those Prices that Bill gave (above) are the same as I am paying for Ohio and WV Ginseng, Except I may Pay a little more on Cert Batchā€™s of =Ginseng But it has to be be unbroken Clean Big Dry Rootā€™s. Green can have Dirt on them But Donā€™t try to do like a Couple tryā€™ed last Year on Me they added 1-2 lbs of dirt to there Sackā€™s and any one should know that any Buyer worth his salt can tell within a Oz or 2 by looking at a bag or sack what it should weight. Thanks all and have a Great and Safe year of Senging. Jim Maynard APPALACHIAN GINSENG COMPANY. 4108 Clines Chapel Rdā€™ Waverly OH 45690. Call 740-835-8119

Middle TN 09/23/17

Update from a reader in middle TN:  green price is only $100 lb. The only buyer in the area really don’t want dried root and says he won’t be buying after Thanksgiving. ~ Roy

East TN 10/29/17

Bob Davis- we are seeing some positive moves in price around east tn area too. most buyers are paying 560 for decent and over 600 for better quality bulby lots. i think we will see 700 to 750 just before thanksgiving.bigger  bulb roots that didn’t get sold green (most did) will demand a premium with all the ā€œpencilā€roots put on mrkt lately. good luck on your sales everybody. thank you madison for the platform. also thank you terry for bein one of the few dealers willing to shoot it straight.

OH, WV 08/25/17

Those Prices that Bill Gave are the same as I am paying for Ohio and WV Ginseng, Except I may Pay a little more on Cert Batchā€™s of =Ginseng But it has to be be unbroken Clean Big Dry Rootā€™s. Green can have Dirt on them But Donā€™t try to do like a Couple tryā€™ed last Year on Me they added 1-2 lbs of dirt to there Sackā€™s and any one should know that any Buyer worth his salt can tell within a Oz or 2 by looking at a bag or sack what it should weight. Thanks all and have a Great and Safe year of Senging. Jim Maynard APPALACHIAN GINSENG COMPANY. 4108 Clines Chapel Rdā€™ Waverly OH 45690. Call 740-835-8119


I’ll have seedlings at the Huntsville farmer’s market and possibly the Fayetteville market beginning in May. This year I’ll also try shipping them, but if the first attempts result in damaged or unhealthy plants, only local pickup will be available. I’ll refund any damaged orders.

Buy your first year ginseng seedlings from Wild Ozark

You can read the comments and information from the 2016 prices page here.

I bet you’d like a Wild Ozark Kestrel to hang on your wall. Watch this one come to life as I paint it.



135 thoughts on “2017 Ginseng Prices – Diggers and Dealers Information”

  1. It appears that the market for good quality root with decent bulby content should be close to 2016 prices .With that said, small and/or broken roots will be a hard sell. Diggers need to be selective and dig carefully.

  2. Any diggers or dealers in Alabama? Please email me () Thx!

    1. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT THE PLAGUE OF ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE? IN WHAT STATES? IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HUNT GINSENG OR ANYTHING WITH THAT CRAP FILLING THE WOODS. EASTERN MO IS COVERED IN IT FROM PIKE COUNTY SOUTH ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI. ONE ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE BUSH CAN HAVE WELL NORTH OF 500,000 BERRIES ON IT. EACH BERRY HAS BETWEEN 2-22 SEEDS IN IT! ONE UNNOTICED MATURE BUSH CAN DESTROY THE WOODS WITHIN 20 YEARS. THE FIRST TIME THAT I SAW IT WAS IN 1994 IN MADISON COUNTY, IL. BY NOV 1999, IN CALHOUN COUNTY I SHOT A DEER AND COULDN’T FIND IT. WHY? BECAUSE THE HONEYSUCKLE WAS SO THICK THAT I COULD NOT WALK INTO IT OR SEE THROUGH IT. IT KEEPS ITS LEAVES ALMOST TILL FEBRUARY. CUTTING IT DOWN DOES NOTHING. IT COMES BACK WITH 8-12 HEADS AND IN TWO WEEKS THEY ARE 3′ TALL.BERRIES ARE ALREADY STARTING TO TURN RED ON IT! TREE’S WON’T REPRODUCE IN THAT CRAP AND THE MATURE TREE’S ARE STARVING AND NOT GROWING.

      1. Haven’t heard anything at all about it, in regards to the ginseng patches being over-run. Yours is the first report I have of that. I grew up in south Louisiana, and it was everywhere but it didn’t completely take over and kill out the other things except in sunnier spots like fence rows and such. But I do know a lot of folks who have tried without success to eradicate it from their properties. I haven’t even tried. Seems like a losing fight.

        1. I DECLARED WAR ON IT IN 1999. AS OF THIS YEAR IT COVERS LESS THAN 2% OF 18.5 ACRES WHICH I HUNT. IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME IT HAS TAKEN OVER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES AND LEFT THE GROUND (LOOKING AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN SALTED). IT IS BARREN AND EROSION IS A PROBLEM. YOU CANNOT PHYSICALLY WALK INTO ANY WOODS WHERE THIS STUFF IS. AFTER THE LEAVES FALL, WHILE YOUR DRIVING, AND YOU SEE PALE GREEN LEAVES IN THE WOODS, THAT IS ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE. EVERYWHERE IN PIKE COUNTY SOUTH IN ILLINOIS IS A SEA OF GREEN IN NOVEMBER! ASK IF OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THE GREATEST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER EXPERIENCED, AND FEW ARE EVEN AWARE OF IT! IN TIME, THIS WILL FORCE GINSENG AND TREE’S TO BE (TREATED LIKE ANIMALS IN A ZOO) IF THEY ARE TO BE PRESERVED!

        2. I HAVE A NEW PROBLEM AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE. IN 2016 AND 2017, IN MAY/JUNE, SOMETHING CUT OFF THE BERRY PODS ON MY GINSENG. I LOST THOUSANDS OF SEEDS. LATE MAY AND JUNE 2018, THE PRONGS ON MY KNEE HIGH GINSENG ARE BEING CUT OFF. NORTH OF 50 3 AND 4 PRONG PLANTS HAVE A STEM, BERRY POD AND NO LEAVES. THE LEAVES ARE BEING CUT OFF AT A CONSISTENT HEIGHT. I CAN FIND NO LEAVES ON THE GROUND. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY TRACK OR SIGN OF AN ANIMAL DOING THIS. I SPRAYED IT WITH CAMICIDE AND ONLY MOSQUITOS DIED. I’VE PUT SEVIN DUST ON IT AND I’M AFRAID THAT THE ROOTS WILL DIE. ANYBODY EXPERIENCE THIS BEFORE? THE FEDS SAID IT WASN’T THEIR PROBLEM AND TO CONTACT THE STATE. I’VE NOT HEARD FROM THE STATE.

          1. Hi John, it sounds like something is browsing your plants. Deer do this to mine sometimes but not a whole lot, they just eat a few here and there. Hard to explain if you’re not seeing tracks of any sort, though. It also sounds like someone could be harvesting your leaves for you… but that too seems like it would show some footprints somewhere sooner or later. I have absolutely no experience with the pesticides and how they affect things (don’t use any of it on anything here except for ticks on the dogs), but if it caused your leaves to drop you’d see them on the ground of course. I don’t think just having the leaves stripped would cause your roots to die unless it happened year after year, but if it’s something else besides manual removal by animal or person, then maybe it could affect the roots. I don’t know. Hopefully someone else will have some ideas. p.s. if you write back, try not using ALL CAPS šŸ™‚ It makes it hard to read the sentence and some people feel like it’s ‘shouting’. But I know some people use ALL CAPS for vision issues and if that’s the case no worries just do what you need to do to communicate with us.

          2. I HAVE HUNDREDS OF FLOATERS IN MY EYES AND IT IS EASIER TO SEE AND TO READ. HOW CAN ONE SHOUT IN A SILENT MEDIUM? THOSE WHO BELIEVE GAY MEANS SOMETHING OTHER THAN HAPPY AND A HOE IS SOMETHING OTHER THAN A FARM IMPLEMENT ARE AT IT AGAIN.
            I PUT THE SEVIN ON AFTER FOUND THE PRONGS GONE. I BELIEVE SOMETHING SMALL IS RESPONSIBLE, BUT NO PRONGS/LEAVES ARE ON THE GROUND. THE ENDS LOOK LIKE A SMOOTH ICE CREAM CONE/PENCIL SHAPE. IT’S CUT AT THE EDGE AND IS ROUNDED OFF ON TOP.

            1. No worries about the CAPS, just thought I’d bring it up in case you just didn’t know. There are a couple of others here I know who need to use them too. But just to satisfy your curiosity about how it’s possible to shout in a silent medium, people have come up with ways to make the words look to give it emphasis or added meaning. Italics would mean if you were reading out loud that the word in italics should be emphasized as you say it. For example, you’d read “I tell you what,” differently than you’d read “I tell you what,” and I hear it differently in my head even when reading silently to myself. It works like the accent mark over a syllable in a word by telling you to emphasize the sound in that syllable harder than the rest of the syllables. The all caps is a way to make a loud shout of the words as you’re reading them. So that’s just a little of how to make a silent medium more audible in your head while reading, lol. Anyway, it does sound like something small may be eating your leaves but still odd that there aren’t any leaves left on the ground or tracks to identify what is doing it. If you notice your chimpmunks being super energetic or something, maybe you’ll get a clue, ha.

          3. MY MOMS CATS HAVE KILLED TWO CHIPMUNKS RECENTLY. IT’S DRIVING ME NUTS! IF IT WERE A BUG, THERE WOULD BE DEBRIS ON THE GROUND. IF IT WERE A BIG ANIMAL THERE WOULD BE TRACKS AND OTHER SIGNS. IT’S BEING EATEN OFF AND NOT CUT WITH A KNIFE. IT IS NOT BEING SQUEEZED OR RIPPED OFF. IT IS THE BIG PLANTS AND NOT THE SMALL ONES. IF I HAD ME A DEER CAMERA I WOULD DEPLOY IT. THE ONLY INSECT THAT COULD BE CUTTING IT AND DRAGGING IT OFF WOULD BE SOME TYPE OF ANT. I WOULD HAVE SEEN THE CONGA LINE THAT THE ANTS WOULD HAVE MADE. THIS IS ONGOING AND NOT A ONE TIME EVENT.

          4. probably cut worms they call them hard to kill they like tomatoes too I have had ginseng the same way here

            1. Wouldn’t the tops be on the ground somewhere to find if it were cutworms, though? Part of the mystery is that he’s finding no evidence of anything at all except the nubs left behind.

          5. THERE ARE CUT MARKS FROM A TOOTH/TEETH ON THE PRONGS. EARLIER I SAID THINK OF IT LOOKING LIKE AN ICE CREAM CONE. THAT’S NOT RIGHT. THINK ABOUT IT AS PENCIL ERASURE SIZED GOLF BALL, ( ONLY WITH THE TOP THIRD OF THE GOLF BALL), AND PLACED ON THE PRONG (WHERE IT IS CUT OFF). YOU CAN SEE THE INDIVIDUAL BITE MARKS. THE BITE MARKS ARE DONE IN SUCH A MANNER AS ONE LICKING AN ICE CREAM CONE AT THE BOTTOM. WHEN IT’S DONE IT LOOKS LIKE A GOLF BALL ON THE PRONG STILL ATTACHED, TO THE PLANT. AFTER SPRAYING WITH LIQUID SEVIN AND DUSTING WITH SEVIN, IT IS NOT EASY TO MEASURE WHAT EFFECT IT HAS HAD, DUE TO THE MASSIVE DAMAGE ALREADY DONE.
            HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT AT BEST NO NEW DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE. AT WORST, VERY LITTLE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE. WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THE SMALLER PLANTS REMAIN UNDAMAGED. THE LARGER PLANTS WERE MASSACRED, AND WITHOUT MARKING THE SURVIVORS, I HAVE TO USE MEMORY AND PERCEPTION TO DETERMINE ONGOING DAMAGE TO THE BIG ONES. THAT IS NOT AN ACCURATE MEANS OF MEASUREMENT. STILL NO SIGNS OF ANIMALS, BUGS, OR DEBRIS ON THE GROUND. I’VE SCOPED THE TREE CANOPY NESTS AND NO SIGNS OF THE PRONGS IN THE NESTS. I USED 50X AND I SAW NO GINSENG LEAVES. I COULD SEE THE DETAIL IN THOSE NESTS LIKE YOU CAN THE BACK OF YOUR HAND. THOSE ARE SQUIRREL NESTS AND THEY HAVE NOW BEEN RULED OUT.
            I AM AT A COMPLETE LOSS TO EXPLAIN THIS.
            .NO DEBRIS ON THE GROUND.
            .NO TRACKS OR SIGNS OF ANY ANIMAL ON THE GROUND.
            .THE PRONGS WERE EATEN OFF AND THE ENDS LOOKED LIKE THE TOP OF A GOLF BALL.
            .SEVIN DUST AND SPRAY APPEARS BUT IS YET TO BE PROVEN TO HAVE STOPPED IT.
            .IT IS RAINING AND WLL RAIN TOMORROW. I WILL HAVE SOFT SOIL FOR TRACKS TO BE MADE.
            DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT A GREEN BEETLE IS? WHERE I HAVE IT THOSE INVADED AROUND 2010? THEY HAVE HAMMERED MY HABBISCUS IN THE PAST, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE HAMMERING WALNUT LEAVES. THEY DON’T EAT IN THE MANNER IN WHICH MY GINSENG IS BEING TAKEN (THEY EAT THE LEAVES FROM THE ENDS TO THE STEM). ANYONE KNOW WHAT WILL KILL THEM?

        3. MY WAR WITH ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE BEGAN IN 1999 WITH THE LOSS OF THE DEER. IT TOOK ME UNTIL 2005 TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WOULD KILL IT. CROSSBOW MIXED AT A 2 1/2% SOLUTION WORKED WELL AT FIRST. I SWITCHED TO CROSSROADS (GENERIC CROSSBOW) AND IT WORKED BETTER. NOW I USE A 3% MIX. 3 OZS PER GALLON OF WATER. AT THIS TIME, I WILL CLEAR MY MOMS 18.5 ACRES OF THIS INFESTATION FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE IT BEGAN! HOWEVER, IT WILL NOT REMAIN THAT WAY. MILLIONS OF BUSHES WITH BILLIONS OF SEEDS SURROUND HER PLACE.

  3. Those Prices that Bill Gave are the same as I am paying for Ohio and WV Ginseng, Except I may Pay a little more on Cert Batch’s of =Ginseng But it has to be be unbroken Clean Big Dry Root’s. Green can have Dirt on them But Don’t try to do like a Couple try’ed last Year on Me they added 1-2 lbs of dirt to there Sack’s and any one should know that any Buyer worth his salt can tell within a Oz or 2 by looking at a bag or sack what it should weight. Thanks all and have a Great and Safe year of Senging. Jim Maynard APPALACHIAN GINSENG COMPANY. 4108 Clines Chapel Rd’ Waverly OH 45690. Call 740-835-8119

        1. MADISON, I HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE EATING OF MY GINSENG LEAVES. I FOUND A FRESH SHINY HUGE PILE OF DEER DUNG IN MY GINSENG PATCH, ALONG WITH SOME BIG AND DEEP TRACKS. NOW THE SMALLER PLANTS LEAVES ARE BEING EATEN. I AM GOING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THIS THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. THE STEMS ARE PRODUCING BERRIES ON THE LEAFLESS PLANTS. I WOULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED THAT HAPPENING! I DID NOT IMAGINE DEER EATING GINSENG LEAVES EITHER! NOR DID I IMAGINE A DEER DOING THAT LESS THAN 40 YARDS FROM A HOUSE!

          1. Hey, well at least now you know what caused it and how to deal with it. Deer do eat the leaves here but not usually a whole patch at a time. They also come quite close to the house here too, but I live in the middle of a lot of woods.

          2. IMAGINE A PLACE NAMED PANCAKE HOLLOW. EAST WEST RUNNING RIDGES AND MANY TREE’S. I JUST FINISHED PLANTING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS 275 HICKORY, 75 WHITE OAK, 25 PECAN, 25 RED OAK, AND I HAVE 50 MORE RED OAK THAT I’LL PLANT IN OCTOBER. I’M MAKING A SQUIRREL HUNTERS PARADISE. SHOULD BE GOOD FOR DEER TOO! I COULD PROBABLY PLANT ANOTHER 50 HICKORY TREE’S. CAN’T FIND ANY NOW AND IT’S TOO HOT TO PLANT THEM. THE PATCH CONSISTS OF ABOUT 200 PLANTS. OF THOSE ABOUT 100 ARE BIG THREE AND FOUR PRONG PLANTS. THE REST ARE SEEDLINGS AND TWO PRONGERS. I’M CREATING A NEW BED THIS OCTOBER, WHICH WILL HAVE SEEDLINGS IN 2020, ASSUMING THAT I HAVE ANY SEEDS THIS YEAR.

          3. @John, in the areas of our woods where it is mostly oak and hickory I find the ginseng doesn’t do well with producing seedlings. They set seeds alright if it’s an older plant, but the seedlings never get up through the leaf mat. Have you not had that problem? If not, are there other kinds of trees mixed in with your hardwoods? Where I have a lot of maple, redbud, spicebush, pawpaw, elm, beech, and other thin-leafed trees mixed in with the oak and hickory, it does fine.

          4. I ORDERED FROM THE IDNR OF ILLINOIS AND IOWA THE TREES. MAPLE, BLACK OAK, HICKORY, RED BUD, SCRUB OAK, ELM, PAW PAW, ASH, SYCAMORE ARE THE PREDOMINANT TREE’S HERE. I PLANTED THEM IN THE SUN. MOST OF THE GINSENG CAN BE FOUND AROUND HICKORY’S. THAT IS USUALLY THE SHADIEST PART OF A HOLLOW.
            THE DAMN ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE HAS TAKEN OVER HERE AND IT KILLS TREES, GINSENG AND STERILIZES THE SOIL! THE LEAF MAT IS NOT THAT BIG OF A PROBLEM FOR THE GINSENG AND TREES. WHAT IS A PROBLEM ARE THE JUNK TREES:MAPLE, BOX ELDER,CEDAR, AND RED BUD. WHERE BOX ELDER AND CEDAR TREES GROW GINSENG DOES NOT GROW! IT’S GOING TO BE 99 HERE TOMORROW.
            I’M GOING TO CREATE ANOTHER GINSENG BED THIS OCTOBER, WHERE I CAN SEE THE DEER AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THAT PATCH IT IS EATING WAS CREATED IN 1987. GINSENG DOES GROW UNDER RED BUDS, BUT THEY TAKE OVER THE WOODS.

  4. With no disrespect to Billy, I understand what he states as opening prices, but how can he or anyone know where prices will end up? Seems like encouraging diggers and dealers to hold until the end of the season is not smart. Especially when that hasn’t worked for several years. Just my opinion, but I know a little.

    1. ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. WHO WENT OUT OF BUSINESS? NEVER SAW WHO IT WAS. ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE IS MAKING GINSENG HUNTING IMPOSSIBLE IN ILLINOIS AND MANY PARTS OF MO. ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE IS IMPASSIBLE AND STERILIZES THE SOIL. NOTHING GROWS IN THAT GRAY SOIL. THIS YEAR BERRIES WERE RIPE IN JULY AND MOST HAVE ALREADY FALLEN. PLANTS WERE STARTING TO TURN YELLOW 3 WEEKS AGO. HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTICED THAT THE SUN IS SETTING FARTHER TO THE NW? NEARLY 30 DEGREES IN CALHOUN COUNTY, IL. PROTECTED GINSENG IN THE PAST 8 YEARS HAS TURNED RED FROM SUN EXPOSURE AND SOME DIED. THE REST HAD TO BE DUG UP AND MOVED.

      1. We have the honeysuckle here, too, but thankfully I’ve never found it in the deep woods where the ginseng grows. I never did hear who it was that went out of business, either, and maybe it’s just a rumor that something like that happened. Would love to know facts on it if any of you out there have any, though.

    1. Justin Kelly, Give me a call. I am listed in the Indiana ginseng buyers list. Thks, Terry

  5. Isaac, I will buy tops. $5 per lb. Everybody else, I don’t want to use this forum to advertise my business, but I am a SERIOUS buyer of quality roots. I am licensed in Indiana, Ohio, and Ky. and will buy certified root from anywhere. You can google my name and find me. Thanks Madison for the site. I don’t need to advertise. I am well known in the fur and ginseng trade. OK. Enough said. Let’s all just do what we do.

  6. My diggers tell me that the ginseng is beyond berries and turning yellow. It may be a short season. That would be a good thing imo.
    So to the digger with 45 year old ginseng, you need to post a LOT more info to get much interest. Location-how much-characteristics of root/roots-. So what is it that you want top dollar for? And do you even have a clue what TOP dollar is? I’m not trying to cut you down but. Well BUT?

    1. IN JULY THE BERRY’S BEGAN TO TURN RED. I’VE GOT DESSICATED PLANTS AND MANY HAVE DROPPED ALL THEIR BERRY’S. MID AUGUST PLANTS BEGAN TO TURN COMPLETELY YELLOW. SOME STILL ARE GREEN AND SOME BERRY’S HAVE NOT TURNED ON A FEW PLANTS. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I’M PASSING ON THIS SEASON, EVEN THOUGH WE’VE HAD PERFECT DIGGING CONDITIONS!

      1. Some of ours is yellow already. Most berries are already dropped, but a few plants are still green and have ripe berries clinging. The trees are starting to turn already, and it’s pretty early for that here in the Ozarks.

        1. 3 WEEKS EARLY HERE. ALMOST NO PLANTS REMAIN HERE AND THE BERRY’S HAVE ALL DROPPED. THIS YEAR THE BUG THAT CUTS THE BERRY STEM OFF WASN’T HERE. SO I GOT TO PLANT A LOT OF BERRY’S.

    1. Went digging in north eastern wva today seems they are all yellow and comeing to a end here but have found no problem with anything forien vines seems the big roots are in or around pine thickets

  7. iam in ILL..at it just about gone here..no rain in weeks now….our season opens the first Sat. of Sept..in was going down then..its a real short season here..

  8. To James, and all concerned diggers. There are no honest buyers at this time Why? Because we are all shooting from the hip. There are no Asian buyers combing the country looking to buy. So country dealers are on their own. Everyone waits to see what the harvest is, but there is great demand for root. especially good quality root. I would advice all diggers to either sell fresh ( a legitimate alternative at this time) or hang tight with dry root until November. I always sell my first collection between mid November and early December. I don’t know everything, but I know some things. Most would be wise to at least pay attn. to my posts

  9. Here in Indiana worst I’ve ever seen the plants this early in the season some dried all the way to ground, mainly yellow, maybe 5% are green this usually middle of Oct…prices here :125 green , 375 dry and my guy isnt very hopeful of the market this year???

  10. (Ohio) Woods Are Dry , Dirt Is Hard But The West Faceing Slopes Still Hold An Even Mix Of Green And Yellow Plants. Ridge Tops Are About Gone And The North Slopes In Mature Woods Are Still Producing As Well . 1 out Of 4 Still Hold Berries And My Buyer Is At $110.00 Green And $410.00 Dry. Some Areas Have Died Off But Its Still Out There ; Atleast Through the 2 week Of October .

    1. Thanks for that update. Here at Wild Ozark many of the plants are yellow even on north slopes and most of the berries are dropped. I haven’t been out to other slopes but I imagine it’s even drier there.

    2. I am in Northeast Ohio & it’s very very dry . Last weekend nearly half of the plants were either dried up or yellow & wilted . At this rate I predict there will barely be any plants left standing by the 1st of October . You would think this would spike the prices considering there will be little to be found in October . It would be wise to hold onto the Roots to see where the prices go .

  11. My parents planted wild ginseng 40 years ago in the catskill Mountains of NY and I went back and found it this past week. Found one with berries which I re-planted and found a bunch of plants that had already dried. I dug some of the roots up and they have so many tendrils. Several have larger bulb areas but there seems to be a lot of the cup rings as well. These roots have not been cultivated since my parents planted them.
    Was wondering if there is anyone I could show them to and get some feedback and/or guidance about what I can next to potentially sell them.
    Thank you in advance!

      1. It’s been an interesting exercise since i had not been to place where they planted it. It’s 5 acres but up a large hill abd walking through the overgrown area to find it was a zen practice.
        Hope someone has a resource or any suggestions. Thanks Madison!

        1. I would love to see what you have found. I am available on fb messanger or by phone text. Or via email

    1. REPLANT THEM! THEY ARE GREAT BERRY PRODUCERS. THAT IS MORE VALUABLE THAN THE MONEY FOR THE ROOT. YOU GOT UP TO 5 DAYS TO REPLANT IT. ONCE IT STARTS GOING SOFT YOUR SCREWED!

  12. The market seems to be warming up in Indiana/Ohio .Still a little less than last season but my best guess is that the harvest is down. I am currently offering up to $500 for northern Indiana roots and I have already purchased several hundred lbs of fresh roots at $120 to $160 and I am looking for more.Also, I need all the goldenseal and Goldenseal herb I can get. Thanks Madison for the website

    1. we’re weathering the price storm here in central Indiana some say it’s not gonna go up and some say it will…was a quick season here

      1. I NEVER WENT THIS YEAR. PRICES DID NOT IMPRESS ME. ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE IS KILLING THE GINSENG HABITAT. EACH YEAR GOING FORWARD LESS GINSENG WILL BE DUG.

  13. ive done business with this guy for 30 plus years on root and fur..he is always competitive with his prices..

  14. Just bought a place with lots of woods in Western Tennessee.. How do I find out where I can sell ginseng root to? If I have to have any type of permit or need to register anywhere.

    1. Hi Suzy, I’m not familiar with the laws in TN. Here’s some info for the state biologist in charge of the permitting, though: Andrea Bishop
      Recovery Biologist
      (615) 741-9141

      If you haven’t already dug any, or have never dug before, it’s a good idea to learn what it needs to stay sustainable for you so you’ll have ginseng for the rest of your life there and for the generations to come, too. The market for selling it fluctuates widely sometimes, and some years it’s almost not worth digging it at all, except I do understand the sometimes urgent need for money in whatever way you can get it. In that case, you can weigh the future harvests against the need for cash and decide how to go about it that will serve you best. There’s lots of info around here on my views for sustainable harvests, and others will have other ideas. Feel free to email me if you want.

      1. CHECK WITH THE STATE DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. THE BIGGER THE PLANT THE MORE BERRIES IT CAN PRODUCE. WHEN PLANTS HAVE DOUBLE SEED PODS I WON’T DIG THEM. THEY ARE WORTH MORE IN THE GROUND PRODUCING BERRIES. SOME PLANTS THAT I’VE SEEN CAN HAVE 300 OR MORE BERRIES ON THEM. I’VE SEEN SOME THAT HAD 4 SEED PODS ON THEM. EACH BERRY CAN HAVE 1-3 SEEDS IN IT. DIGGING ONE SUCH PLANT, WIPES OUT 300-900 POTENTIAL PLANTS, EACH YEAR. IN 5 YEARS YOU COULD LOSE, 1500-4500 FUTURE PLANTS FROM THAT PLANT AND HUNDREDS OF TIMES THAT AMOUNT FROM THE OTHER PLANTS, WHICH WILL BE PRODUCING BERRIES STARTING THE 3RD OR 4TH YEAR..

    1. Terry is this your site? I’m listing it so folks who see this can find you easier: http://www.manleyfursandhides.com/ I think you mentioned your contact info farther up in the comments, but just in case someone isn’t reading them all I’ll put your site here too. (I can’t see the earlier comments from this reply form I’m on, lol).

      1. Madison, That web site is under construction bc the nature of my business has changed a lot in the last few years. Im not sure others can access it at this time. But if so, anyone would find it quite interesting. At 75 years old, I decided to slow down a bit so I am devoting most of my time to fur and root business. AND to family. (lots of grandbabies). My email address is and I can be found simply by googling my name. I have over 40 years experience dealing in furs, hides, and roots am I am happy to share any information I can with your followers. Thanks, Terry

  15. Is there any place in n.c. That a man could dig ginseng without trespassing ! Are landowners leanient about letting someone dig on their property?

    1. Hi John, I don’t know what to tell you. At least here in AR it’s pretty tough for a newcomer to get landowner permissions if they don’t already know the landowners. I’m not sure if NC allows hunting on public land or not, but you could check with your state plant board (in the Agriculture division) to find out.

  16. Looking to sell Illinois Ginseng dry …coming down this weekend to Franklin area…any suggestions?

  17. The market continues to improve, but not necessarily for all sections. The demand is definitely for larger and bulby roots. Small and broken roots are still a hard sell. If you are a selective digger (and you should be) you will find competitive offers. If you dig everything in sight (and some do) you will miss the party. Rumors of digger lots bringing prices close to $1000 lb are mostly unfounded. YES, some roots are worth that, but everything in the bag? Only on Appalachian Outlaws. Sorry Tony!!!
    Very little, if any 2017 ginseng has been exported. The market craze is driven by the assumption that the harvest is less than normal. and I believe it is! Anyway, best of luck to buyers and sellers.
    Thanks again Madison for the site. I hope my comments and my years of experience add something of value to both diggers and dealers.

  18. we are seeing some positive moves in price around east tn area too.most buyers are paying 560 for decent and over 600 for better quality bulby lots.i think we will see 700 to 750 just before thanksgiving.bigger bulb roots that didnt get sold green(most did)will demand a premium with all the “pencil”roots put on mrkt lately.good luck on your sales everybody.thank you madison for the platform.also thank you terry for bein on of the few dealers willing to shoot it straight.

      1. your welcome.for your readers in north carolina there is a dealer andrew wright advertising 800 to 1000 a lb dry.i havent dealt with him but sounds like it would be worth checkin out for anyone in western nc.
        hope the market keeps creeping up,but for what its worth,i have been warned more than once this yr not to try to hold as late as past yrs.??

        1. Last year and maybe the year before that, diggers that held lost out because the buyers in our area quit buying early altogether. This year seems to be going a little differently than the recent years, though, so I’ll be interested to see how it plays out. Thanks for the buyer tip, too!

  19. I have ginseng from last year I found by accident.I was told it was 30 years old and people are saying that it is the strongest that they have seen around here.It was on my land so I can do what I want with it,Iive in western Penna in the mountains.My name is Bill Mc Donald.Ph# 814 927 8741

    1. Hi Bill, I hope you decide to leave most of it growing there. At least here where I live, it’s hard to find large patches of wild that old anymore. Thanks for commenting, good luck!

  20. The market continues to strengthen, Offers to diggers in my area are $600 dry-good quality. I’ve heard crazy rumors from North Carolina but I think good quality roots will average $800. Some buyers bragging about more than that, but I bet they are picking and choosing. Where will it end? SOON! But it wont necessarily end cheaper. The harvest is over and I believe the harvest is short. I personally know of two big Asian buyers that will be in the country in the next three weeks. At least one will visit me. My advice to diggers. Don’t miss the party. My advice to dealers. Negotiate, but don’t let a good thing get awa. Good luck everybody. Terry

  21. Personally I think I will keep every root I dig for my own medicinal use. It just takes far too much time, $,&, leg work to aquire. Anything less than $250 green, or $750 dry is giving it away. Never again will I sell another root just to brake even. So if your Asian buyers want some good Appalachian sang, tell them to go hunt and dig it themselves. This guy has given away his last root!

  22. I would just like to post a public, “Thank You,” to Terry Manley for being an awesome and honest buyer. Sold my wild sim. Ginseng to Terry this year…first time selling seng. He offered me a very clear evaluation of my roots, explained what was good and what could be better about it, and settled at a very nice price for mid. October, not to mention I had my family there with me at his shop and he treated us great. My kids still talk about wanting to go back and see Mr. Terry, “next year,” I tell them. Thank’s Terry

  23. Thank you Leon. I look forward to seeing you and your family in the future. And thank you again Madison. It’s sure nice to have a site where everyone is sharing instead of trying to one up each other.

    1. You’re welcome Leon. I’m by nature a non-confrontational type of person, but I like to have an open space where a person can speak their mind, if they do so with respect. And my instinct is to mediate some sort of middle ground when there are disputes. But I’m very glad that everyone who has posted here has been civil even if they’re unhappy about the state of ginseng sales.

        1. It seems like that wouldn’t affect the prices paid to diggers, unless the Asian countries import less because it costs more. Then it would make the prices go down to diggers or buyers might quit buying when they have more than they can sell to the exporters. I’d love to hear an answer on this from someone closer to that end of the business, though.

  24. Pingback: Ginseng Root Prices 2014

  25. Pingback: How to Find Ginseng? First look for the right habitat. | Wild Ozarkā„¢

    1. It’s only the wild that is worth so much. Lots of people do grow it in greenhouses, or hoop houses, but that is considered “cultivated” and sells for much, much, less.

  26. Ronald Stadterman

    Seng roots sell for $1000 a pound, whatever is in the bag, in nc. Man roots go for more, if big enough can bring 1000 for one root. Diggers in the other states listed above are getting robbed

  27. Do you have contact information for the buyer in North Carolina, and would he buy it right now. I just found a lb that I forgot to get out and sell last year.

    1. Hi Eric, until the second week in September, in AR, at least, it’s illegal to buy or sell or to even possess roots that haven’t been certified. I’ll be putting up the 2018 Prices page soon and will try to find that buyer’s contact info to post to that page.

  28. Hi all,

    New to site and industry. Looking to connect with a few dealers/diggers with sustainability in mind. I am looking to purchase fresh 10+ years ginseng with everything intact. Trying to get everything set up before the season starts.

    1. Hi Frank, I’ll try to remember to transfer your comment over to the 2018 page whenever I get it set up. Good luck with your new venture. I’m glad you’re keeping sustainability in mind, too!

  29. Madison, Please let me know when you are ready to start comments pertaining to 2018 outlook. I will be glad to start the ball rolling. Terry

  30. I have inherited some property in Central WV and found tons of mushrooms and some ginseng. I am curious if there is any one who would be interested in walking my property and maybe buying what I have thats available ?

      1. John thats fine but i live 6 hours away and would need to schedule when to meet someone plus I dont know what im digging. Right vs wrong mushrooms. If someone wants em ill dig em and they can take em after a decent deal is made. This is why i need the person with me.

        1. THE RIGHT VS THE WRONG MUSHROOMS CAN BE DISCOVERED THROUGH RESEARCH. IN FRANCE THEY USE HOGS TO FIND THE MUSHROOMS. THEY CAN SMELL THEM UNDERGROUND. CHALETS I BELIEVE THEY CALL THEM. I WAS REFERRING TO THE GINSENG. THE ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE BUSH HAS TAKEN OVER THE AREA WHERE I LIVE AND IT IS KILLING ALL THE NATURAL VEGETATION. TREE’S, SHRUBS, GRASS, PLANTS… GINSENG AND GOLDENSEAL IS BEING WIPED OUT! THE ASIAN HONEYSUCKLE STARVES OUT THE TREE’S AND STERILIZES THE SOIL AND NOTHING NEW WILL GROW!

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