"Millions of Won per Kilo, Already Rare but Now Even Rarer"... 'Diamonds of the Earth' See Prices Jump 30%

Poor Harvests in Major Growing Regions Due to High Temperatures and Insufficient Rainfall
Prices Up 20-30%... Securing a Stable Production Base Remains a Challenge

White truffles, known as “diamonds of the earth,” are facing production challenges due to climate change. Heat waves and drought have reduced harvests and the size of truffles in major growing regions, pushing prices up by as much as 30% from last year.

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Climate Change Sends White Truffle Prices Soaring... Up 20-30% From Last Year

On November 1 (local time), the Associated Press reported that truffle harvests are declining in major growing regions, including Italy’s Piedmont region and Croatia, due to summer heat waves and a lack of rainfall.

Truffles are fungi that grow underground in symbiosis with tree roots. They thrive in cool, damp conditions and are sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall. White truffles, in particular, depend heavily on natural conditions, as artificial cultivation is not yet widespread.

Alba, in Italy’s northern Piedmont region, is a world-renowned source of white truffles. Truffle hunters and tourists flock there every fall, but this year’s harvest has been poorer than usual.

Antonio Degiacomi, head of Italy’s National Center for Truffle Studies, said, “Low rainfall and high temperatures in July and August affected the October harvest. The soil became dry and hard, resulting in smaller truffles, and the period during which they remain fresh after harvesting also became shorter.”

The decline in harvests has driven up prices. According to Axel Iberti, chair of the Alba International White Truffle Fair committee, truffle prices in the local market are up 20-30% from last year.

Croatia Faces the Same Problem... Harvests Down 30%

A similar trend is emerging in Croatia. Petar Alević, who gathers truffles in an oak forest near Zagreb, said, “Conditions for harvesting have continued to worsen over the past seven to eight years.” He estimated that this year’s harvest was down about 30% from an average year.

Armin Mesic, a mycologist at Croatia’s Ruđer Bošković Institute, explained, “About 12 species of truffles grow in Croatia. The most prized among them, the white truffle, can sell for as much as 4,000 euros per kilogram (approximately 5.98 million won).”

He added, “Drought and heat waves affect not only truffle production but also quality. The habitats where white truffles can grow are shrinking.”

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Truffle-Growing Regions Seek Ways to Tackle Climate Change... Artificial Cultivation of White Truffles Remains a Challenge

Truffle-growing regions are exploring various ways to respond to climate change.

Italian researchers are conducting irrigation experiments to supply water to the soil if droughts persist for extended periods. They are also working to restore forests and plant trees to lower soil temperatures and retain moisture.

Planting trees does not mean truffles can be harvested right away. It can take more than 10 years for newly planted trees to provide an environment suitable for truffles to grow.

Establishing reliable artificial cultivation of truffles is another challenge. Black truffles are commercially cultivated, but technology for stable, large-scale production of white truffles has yet to be established.

Experts warn that while white truffles are not yet at risk of extinction, the effects of climate change on their production and quality could grow increasingly severe. They say long-term measures are needed, as high temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns could further worsen their habitats.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.