Wisconsin signs deal with Chinese ginseng company
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Under a new deal Wisconsin ginseng growers will sell to only one distributor in China.
Ginseng Board of Wisconsin Vice President Kirk Baumann says the deal reached with Chinese company Tong Ren Tang will protect the brand name of Wisconsin ginseng sold in China.
Gov. Jim Doyle says finding ways to market Wisconsin ginseng in China and protect the name has been a challenge for growers in the state. He says this agreement will lead to increased sales in China.
Tong Ren Tang is a 300-year-old company that has 3,000 locations throughout China.
Baumann says the deal will help stabilize prices for Wisconsin growers and should lead to an increase in production.
Wisconsin produces about 95 percent of the country’s ginseng and China is the top market.
Oct 29, 2009 at 12:42 a.m.
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In a related story, the state's premiere drug enforcement agency, SNIGGLE (Stop Northern Illinois Ginseng Growers Leaching Exports), arrested an Oshkosh couple today at the state line, in Beloit. Ralph and Ida Morel were stopped by one of the agency's frequent, random, roadblocks authorized by Governor Doyle.
Nearly 2 kilos of ginseng were found in plastic bags taped to the inside of their front bumper. They are being charged with ginseng trafficking, possession of a controlled herb/spice without a state food stamp, and conspiracy to deprive the state of cumshaw from the Tong Ren Tang company. An arraignment had not yet been scheduled by press time.
Oct 29, 2009 at 12:16 a.m.
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Wisconsin has always been one of the top producers of Ginseng.
Oct 28, 2009 at 11:51 p.m.
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WI? Ginseng? I thought that was an Asian based thing.
Oct 28, 2009 at 10:35 p.m.
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Does anyone know how much ginseng sells for?
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:56 p.m.
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janesvillean; WHAT??? - Who cares if they have a monopoly in China! the point is Diamond Jim now wants only 1 BUYER for all ginseng produced in WI - THEY then set the market!!!! WOW! if only I could figure out a way to be the ONLY car dealer allowed to take trades, or the ONLY contractor allowed to bid a project or whatever.
Oct 28, 2009 at 4:53 p.m.
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Monopoly laws have nothing to do with selling a product to a distributor lol.
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Monopoly laws exist so Wal-Mart cant move into every town, sell items under cost for 6 months and drive the competition out of business and jack up the prices when they are the only one left in town.
Oct 28, 2009 at 4:40 p.m.
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There's no evidence from this article that the distributor has a monopoly on Chinese ginseng sales, but even if it did, it's in China. It isn't subject to US law.
Oct 28, 2009 at 4:28 p.m.
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hmmmmmmmmm interesting one company? Is that not monopolizing? oh yeah that is custom for some IMO
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