Truffles had a poor harvest in Europe. Their prices increased by a third
The white truffle harvesting season in Europe, which lasts from October to early January, is clearly unsuccessful this year. In Croatia, the harvest decreased by approximately 30% compared to the usual level, and in the Italian market in Alba, prices rose by 20-30%, reports Associated Press.
According to Associated Press, the main reasons were drought and abnormally high temperatures. The absence of rain in July and August, combined with high temperatures, has led to truffles growing smaller, storing less well, and their distribution area shrinking.
According to expert estimates, the trend of deteriorating harvests has been observed for more than seven years. Truffle hunter Petar Alebić notes that each subsequent season is worse than the previous one. Mycologist Armin Mesic emphasizes that the quality and quantity of truffles directly depend on climatic conditions. This also affects the price: in some cases, a kilogram of white truffles costs up to 4000 euros.
For normal growth, truffles require a humid summer and a mild winter. These fungi form a symbiosis with the roots of deciduous trees. The current situation threatens a further reduction in the supply of this delicacy and a new increase in prices in restaurants and retail.
On an industrial scale, truffles are harvested in northern Italy and southern France. In these regions, there is also a black market where the delicacy is sold for approximately half the price. The fungi are gathered there by people who do not have an official license for such a trade.
Other countries also profit from truffle supplies. The USA, Spain, Croatia, Serbia, Morocco, New Zealand, and Australia export them.
In recent years, the global truffle harvest has not exceeded 50 tons. It is unknown, however, what portion of this amount comes from truffles grown on special plantations.
French and Italian producers oppose the creation of new plantations, fearing that this could lead to a sharp drop in prices.
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