The Commonwealth of Virginia has begun its statewide ginseng harvest September 1, 2024, apart from within state forests. At the same time, North Carolina has extended its 3-year “pause” in harvesting of the resource in its wetlands.
This comes a week after nearby West Virginia kick-started the U.S. ginseng season by issuing seasonal root-gathering permits.
Rules in Virginia’s Ginseng Harvest
Like its West Virginia counterpart, the Commonwealth has issued rules through its Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).
On this score, Virginia is stricter than in neighboring states since ginseng here is officially an “threatened” species.
Most of the rules apply to root maturity, which should be at least 5 years old, and with at least three prongs.
The other requirement is to plant seeds on site after each harvest. Otherwise, a violator faces imprisonment or a fine equal to $2,500.
Some Virginia Woods Exempt
Though state parks and public reserves are no-go zones for digging the root, there are nevertheless some public woods available. However, diggers have to obtain permits first from the agency running these available public areas.
Also exempt is any ginseng harvest on private land as long as the digger gains permission of the owner. But once the roots from private sources get into the market, they also have to meet maturity stipulations.
If one pilfers the resource from federal parks, they are liable to a maximum $5,000 fine or even a jail term.
North Carolina’s “Pause“
Further up in North Carolina, the U.S. Forest Service has extended a ban on ginseng harvesting, now in its 36th month.
According to Sally Dixon, who heads Haywood County’s Extension Office, the decision to extend the “pause” is reasonable.
This is especially true in the wetlands of the Nantahala forest, which has a fabled role in wild ginseng gathering.
Dixon noted that over-harvesting here is common since the wild root is pricey at between $700 and $800 a pound.
She adds that it is no wonder people often refer to it as “Appalachian gold.” The reference denotes its status as a lucrative natural resource from the Appalachia range which runs across northeastern U.S.
Although wild ginseng in North Carolina lives for up to 80 years, the lifespan has reduced due to early harvesting.
In short, Virginia and North Carolina are on track to keep the exotic plant protected through field rules or an extended ban. And as the statistics below reveal, both states fare well in the annual American ginseng harvest.
Virginia and North Carolina American Ginseng Harvest Statistics
Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC) are some of 17 states in eastern United States where ginseng roots grow. Though 90% of the total production comes from Wisconsin, NC still manages the third biggest output of the remaining 10%. In 2013, for example, the state produced 12,800 pounds (5.82 tonnes), the 4th highest in federal production. Virginia in its part has put its crop as “threatened,” though it has not instituted a ban other than in forests.
How much ginseng roots does Virginia harvest per year?
The Commonwealth of Virginia harvested 2,300 pounds (1.045 tonnes) of ginseng in 2023 equal to about $1.2 million. This was higher than the 2022 total of 1,600 pounds (0.727 tonnes) worth almost $1.1 million. Though it may seem small, this output is quite substantial since at least 250 roots make up a pound. This according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
How high is ginseng production in North Carolina?
The root brings North Carolina three times what Virginia earns. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the state earns $3 million per year from ginseng. This amount is from just a handful of tonnes of the resource at between 4,200 pounds (1.91 tonnes) and 12,800 pounds (5.82 tonnes). These two amounts were for the period ending 2013, according to USDA data.
What is the average price of dried wild ginseng in NC?
NC ginseng harvesters gain at least $200 a pound per NCDACS’ estimates and as high as $800 a pound.