Wisconsin Ginseng Farmers Losing Buyers due to 147% Tariffs

WAUSAU, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – Wisconsin’s largest ginseng operation is feeling dramatic impacts from the trade war.  

Will Hsu is the president of Hsu Ginseng in Wausau. They grow their own ginseng, and process it for other farms. It’s the largest integrated ginseng operation in the country.

They’ve got a warehouse full of the herb that nobody’s buying because of tariffs. 

“Due to the trade war, tariffs on ginseng are now approximately 117%, which has doubled the price of the product to the importers,” Hsu said. He made his comments during a press conference with Democrats from the Joint Finance Committee. 

Later when we spoke to Hsu, he said he had an updated number: importers are currently facing 147% tariffs on Wisconsin ginseng. Conditions are rapidly changing, and farmers like Hsu are having to figure it out as they go.

Wisconsin produces more than 90 percent of the country’s ginseng. According to Fortune, 85 percent of that crop is exported to China and Hong Kong.

“A lot of companies are choosing not to import ginseng from Wisconsin,” Hsu said. He stood in front of a warehouse full of boxes, which contained his remaining 2024 inventory. “They’re choosing to buy the product from Canadian producers, or domestic producers in China.” 

Hsu says now that the buyers aren’t interested in importing from Wisconsin, they’ve planted less ginseng than ever before. 

In 2024, Wisconsin exported almost $20 million worth of ginseng.