This article provides a comparative analysis of the cultivation status of six important medicinal roots in China, focusing on their growing regions, scale, farming models, and market performance.
1. Comparative Table of Cultivation Status
| Medicinal Root | Primary Growing Regions | Cultivation Scale (Latest Data) | Main Cultivation Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginseng (Panax ginseng) |
Northeast China (Jilin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang) | Jilin: Garden-grown 14,500 mu, fresh root 34,000 tons; Forest-grown 1.165 million mu, fresh root 34,000 tons |
Traditional forest-clearing; Forest-based ecological cultivation |
| Pseudostellaria (Pseudostellaria heterophylla) |
Fujian, Guizhou, Anhui | Fujian Zherong: ~43,000 mu; Guizhou Shibing: 56,000 mu, 6,000 tons yield |
Company + Base + Cooperative + Farmers |
| American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) |
Shandong, Shaanxi | Shandong Wendeng: 55,000 mu, >7,500 tons (60% of national output); Shaanxi Liuba: 1,700 mu, 200 tons yield |
Enterprise + Base + Farmers |
| Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula) |
Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi | Gansu Weiyuan: ~100,000 mu; National demand >30,000 tons |
Terrace farming, frame-supported growth |
| Salvia (Salvia miltiorrhiza) |
Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi | Shandong Yiyuan: Several ten-thousand mu; National market: 518 million yuan (2022) |
Root/seed propagation, sun exposure required |
| Adenophora (Adenophora stricta) |
Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang | Jiangsu Lianyungang: 3,000–5,000 mu; National supply: 8,940 tons (2023) |
Seed propagation, soil and drainage management |
2. Regional Distribution Characteristics
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Northeast Dominance: Ginseng cultivation is concentrated in Jilin, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang, leveraging the cool climate and forest resources of the Changbai Mountain region.
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Southern & Southwestern Bases: Pseudostellaria is mainly grown in Fujian (Zherong) and Guizhou (Shibing), where mild temperatures and ample rainfall support its growth.
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Coastal & Inland American Ginseng: Shandong’s Wendeng district and Shaanxi’s Liuba county have become national hubs for American ginseng, combining suitable climates with advanced agro-technology.
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Widespread Codonopsis: Gansu, Shanxi, and Shaanxi serve as the primary production areas, with Gansu’s Weiyuan county recognized as the “home of Codonopsis.”
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Central & Eastern Salvia and Adenophora: Salvia is largely cultivated in Shandong and Henan, while Adenophora is grown along the Yangtze River basin, including Jiangsu and Anhui.
3. Scale and Economic Impact
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Ginseng leads in both scale and market value, with a national market of ¥35 billion in 2023. Online sales have grown sharply, rising from 1.5% (2016) to 15% (2022) of total sales.
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Pseudostellaria from Guizhou alone produced 33.6 thousand tons of fresh roots in 2023, with an output value of ¥747 million. It accounts for about one-quarter of national production.
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American Ginseng is expanding globally, with the market projected to grow from $1.38 billion in 2022 to $5 billion by 2031.
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Codonopsis remains a widely used tonic, with annual demand surpassing 30,000 tons.
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Salvia is seeing increased demand due to rising cardiovascular health needs, with the market growing 24.4% in 2022.
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Adenophora has shown steady but slow supply growth, from 8,530 tons in 2017 to 8,940 tons in 2023.
4. Cultivation Models & Sustainability Trends
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Eco-Shift in Ginseng: While traditional forest-clearing is still practiced, forest-grown ginseng is gaining traction for its ecological benefits.
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Organized Cooperatives: Pseudostellaria and American ginseng cultivation often adopt the “Company + Base + Farmers” model, which standardizes production and ensures buy-back agreements.
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Terrace & Frame Farming: Codonopsis uses terrace planting and climbing frames to support growth and improve yield.
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Seed/Root Techniques: Both Salvia and Adenophora rely on seed or root propagation, with emphasis on soil aeration, drainage, and pest control.
5. Market Outlook & Challenges
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Rising health awareness and an aging population are boosting demand for medicinal roots.
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Sustainability remains a challenge, especially for forest-based products like Ginseng and Codonopsis.
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Supply chain integration and e-commerce are opening new avenues for market growth.
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Regional branding—such as Zherong Pseudostellaria and Wendeng American Ginseng—enhances market competitiveness.
Conclusion
China’s cultivation of medicinal roots is characterized by regional specialization, scaling through cooperative models, and a gradual shift toward sustainable practices. While Ginseng and American Ginseng show strong export potential, Pseudostellaria, Codonopsis, Salvia, and Adenophora continue to play vital roles in domestic traditional medicine and agriculture. Strategic support for quality control, branding, and eco-friendly farming will be key to the sector’s future development.
