The Ontario Ginseng Growers Association (OGGA) is a non-profit organization representing the producers of North American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) who grow, harvest and sell the root.

The Association supports research into new varieties of ginseng, new production methods and harvesting advances. We also develop strategic marketing direction for the industry as a whole, while working with government and industry partners to develop the growing market for North American ginseng.

More than 150 growers of the OGGA have the largest production of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in the world.

The Association pursues crop protection for industry production issues, communicates market conditions through newsletters and grower reports, funds research on both the production and use of ginseng and provides networking opportunities for our members through a variety of social events.

Ontario, Canada is the largest producer of Panax quinquefolius in North America. The ginseng industry began here in 1704 when Jesuit priests discovered the root growing wild. Since then, Ontario producers have set the gold standard in production and research. The clean water and minimal pollution in southwestern Ontario help to ensure the high quality of Canadian ginseng.

Ongoing research enables growers to use biological controls; and recent disease control research has led to the identification of products that will not only reduce the risk of disease in North American Ginseng, but will reduce the environmental risk as well, ensuring agriculture is sustainable in the future.

Health and Well-Being: Grown in Ontario

Read the recent research on the health benefits of Ontario Ginseng (PDF)

Did you know?

Ontario has developed and implemented strict guidelines for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and is the first ginseng industry to do so.