American Origin Products: The Ginseng Story · American Origin Products: The Ginseng Story Butch Weege President, American Origin Products Association Past Int’l Marketing Director,

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

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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

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What Can GI’s Bring to the Table?

Preserve Heritage and Skills

Create jobs that stay

Promote Regional Reputation and Tourism

Drive Export Demand and Revenue

Assure High Quality

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