The reality of buying and selling fake Ngoc Linh ginseng.

(kontumtv.vn) – Ngoc Linh ginseng is known as the most precious and best medicinal herb in the world to date. This type of ginseng is currently only found in two provinces, Kon Tum and Quang Nam, making it quite valuable economically . This has led to the exploitation of the brand to buy and sell counterfeit Ngoc Linh ginseng; affecting the health and finances of consumers; and especially directly impacting legitimate ginseng growers.

Tu Mo Rong district currently has the largest area of ​​Ngoc Linh ginseng cultivation in Kon Tum province, with over 2,300 hectares. To cultivate ginseng that meets nutritional standards, ethnic minority people here have to invest considerable money and effort, facing risks from weather and diseases. Therefore, the situation of individuals exploiting the Ngoc Linh ginseng brand on social media has caused great indignation among the people. Mr. A Ngoc from Dak Vien village, Te Xang commune, Tu Mo Rong district, said: “Growing ginseng is very difficult. Planting one seed costs 100,000 VND, and a one-year-old plant costs 700,000 VND. We work hard growing ginseng, but they cheat us. I'm so angry. They said there's a company in Hanoi , but they don't grow ginseng here. I only saw newspaper articles saying they grow ginseng here.”

Mr. A Ngom from Dak Don village, Mang Ri commune, Tu Mo Rong district suggested: "Regarding fake and real ginseng, there's a lot of it being sold indiscriminately on social media. I request that the relevant authorities take action against those selling fake ginseng so that people can produce with peace of mind. Selling ginseng like that damages the brand reputation of the people here."

During its growth process, a Ngoc Linh ginseng plant over 3 years old will produce seeds, and it takes 5-10 years or more to reach harvestable size. Currently, a single Ngoc Linh ginseng seed costs between 100,000 and 120,000 VND; while the price of fresh ginseng root fluctuates around 20 million VND per 100 grams, depending on origin, age, and harvest season. The older the Ngoc Linh ginseng, the more valuable it is and the higher its nutrient content. Therefore, Ngoc Linh ginseng is sold at a very high price.

Due to high profits, many individuals on social media are currently exploiting the brand to sell ginseng products with similar appearances, at prices ranging from a few million to even just a few hundred thousand dong per kilogram of Ngoc Linh ginseng. For consumers, distinguishing genuine Ngoc Linh ginseng based solely on promotional videos and advertisements widely available on social media is extremely difficult.

Meanwhile, businesses are exploiting the geographical indication area to advertise the production and sale of processed products from Ngoc Linh ginseng, but they are not actually cultivating it. Mr. Vo Trung Manh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tu Mo Rong district, said: "The district has also worked with forest owners, companies, households, and the People's Committee of the communes, requesting that households, when collaborating with units, businesses, or individual households outside the area to cultivate ginseng, must report to the local authorities. From the village to the district level, and report to the forest owner unit so that the forest owner unit can confirm the collaboration in cultivating medicinal herbs. This serves as confirmation for the unit, the locality, and the individual when cultivating ginseng, allowing for buying and selling, legal documentation, and geographical indication for ginseng roots later on; it also helps manage the introduction of non-Ngoc Linh ginseng into the area."

Ngoc Linh ginseng has been recognized as a national treasure. Cultivating and developing this precious medicinal herb has become a model that helps people, especially ethnic minorities, escape poverty and rise to prosperity. The People's Committee of Kon Tum province is implementing many solutions to strengthen the management and protection of the Ngoc Linh ginseng brand in the area. At the same time, they are disseminating information and raising awareness to help people identify genuine Ngoc Linh ginseng products and protect consumer rights.

Ho Jan - Duc Thang

Source: https://kontumtv.vn/tin-uc/kinh-te/thuc-trang-mua-ban-sam-ngoc-linh-gia