The main function of Polygonatum odoratum is to nourish yin and moisten dryness, promote the production of body fluid and quench thirst. It is used for lung and stomach yin damage, dryness and heat cough, dry throat and thirst, internal heat and thirst. The use of Polygonatum odoratum is constantly expanding. It is not only used for medicine, but also used in nutritional supplements, health foods and beverages, and is very popular among the general public. At the same time, it is also exported to 12 countries and regions including Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, and Hong Kong, and the export volume has increased year by year.

Before 2009, the price of Polygonatum odoratum was always below 10 yuan. In 2010, it started to rise from 12 yuan and rose to 26-28 yuan by the end of the year. In 2011, the price of Polygonatum odoratum continued to rise to 32-38 yuan, and in 2012 it rose to 40-45 yuan, and at the end of the year it rose to 55 yuan. In 2013, it rose from 55 yuan to around 70 yuan. The high price lasted until the first half of 2014. In the second half of the year, it gradually declined from more than 70 yuan to 47-48 yuan, and in 2015 it steadily declined from 47 yuan to 28-30 yuan. In 2018, the area of Polygonatum odoratum on the ground decreased by about 1/4 compared with the peak period. The planting area in 2019 is expected to be even smaller. However, the cost of digging is high and the price cannot go up. Many merchants and farmers are waiting and watching. Due to the poor market conditions, by 2020, encouraged by poverty alleviation policies, the planting area of Yuzhu production areas such as Hunan, Guizhou and Guangdong has recovered slightly, but the area has decreased significantly compared with the peak planting period. In 2021, as the social inventory of yuzhu continued to be digested, some merchants began to wait for opportunities, and the price gradually rose from 25 yuan to 50 yuan in 2022. In 2023, the market price reached a maximum of 60 yuan. In 2024, yuzhu was sold normally, and the holders asked for a firm price. At present, the price of thin slices in the Bozhou market ranged from 55 to 60 yuan, and the price of a piece of yuzhu was about 50 yuan.

Production in recent years

In 2020, the output of Polygonatum odoratum is between 7,500 and 8,000 tons. This variety has low requirements for the growth environment and land, and can be cultivated in mountainous areas and Pingba. Under normal circumstances, the yield of fresh goods per mu is 4,000-6,000 kilograms, and the yield per mu with good management can reach 7,000-8,000 kilograms. At present, the scale of planting Polygonatum odoratum in Northeast China has been greatly reduced, and the supply of goods is mainly wild. The so-called wild goods are basically grown naturally for many years under the farmers' own pear orchards and hazelnut orchards. It is basically difficult to find resources in the mountains and forests.

Origin Overview

At present, the supply of Polygonatum odoratum in the market includes wild and domestic varieties. Wild varieties are mainly produced in the three northeastern provinces and Inner Mongolia, while domestic varieties are mainly produced in Shaoyang, Longhui, Xiangtan and other counties in Hunan. There are also small-scale cultivations in Xinyu, Jiangxi, Enshi, Hubei, Guizhou, Qingyuan, Shaoguan and other places in Guangdong. Among them, the production area in Hunan has the largest output. Wild Polygonatum odoratum is mainly distributed in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei and other places in Northeast China. In recent years, wild Polygonatum odoratum resources in Northeast China have been scattered. Due to the large production capacity and thick flesh of domestic Hunan Polygonatum odoratum, it is deeply favored by the domestic market, and its market share has accounted for more than 70%. Recently, the number of merchants looking for goods in the production area has not decreased, and the supply of small batches has been sold smoothly, and the price has remained firm; the market merchants still pay little attention to it, and the supply of goods is not as smooth as the production area, and the market price remains stable for the time being. The current Hunan goods are 45 yuan.

Market Analysis

This year, the early growth period of Polygonatum odoratum was dry, and there were many rains during the harvest period, which affected the normal growth of underground rhizomes. The new production this year was not large. Since Polygonatum odoratum was affected by disasters and reduced production this year, more people kept seeds. It is expected that the price of Polygonatum odoratum will remain high in the short term.

At present, the price of Polygonatum odoratum is high, and the high price will stimulate herbal farmers to develop large-scale planting. Although the normal growth cycle of Polygonatum odoratum is three years, it can be harvested after two years of growth. In other words, the harvestable area is expected to increase in 2024-2025.