Well everyone, it was certainly a rough season.
Most dealers were able to sell what they bought in the end, but they didn't make big profits doing so. China and Hong Kong didn't come into the market much at all until very late in the season and they were selective in what they would even buy. The last I heard, the standard commercial lots were moving, but very slowly.
I know there are a lot of diggers out there who are fuming mad at the dealers thinking we are trying to cheat them somehow. But, as I"ve always said, ginseng, like anything else, is only worth what someone is willing to buy it for today. A digger might think his lot is worth $600 a pound, but, as some learned this year, the market might never reach your price. As the selling season nears its end, the price tends to drop off also.
Personally, I bought some and sold it for more than I expected, and bought some and sold it for less than expected. For example, I bought some for $415 and had to sell it for $180.
