Yangyang pine mushroom first-grade price sets record at 1.71 mln won per kilogram
In short
The first-grade auction price of Yangyang pine mushrooms in Gangwon Province reached a record 1,711,700 won per kilogram on October 4, above the previous record of 1,623,700 won set on September 30, according to the National Forestry Cooperative Federation. The auction sold 38.79 kilograms for a total of 22,634,953 won. Industry officials cited by the outlets attributed the high prices to hot, dry weather that reduced output and to demand that continued after Chuseok.
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The first-grade auction price of pine mushrooms from Yangyang in Gangwon Province was set at 1,711,700 won per kilogram on October 4, a record, according to the National Forestry Cooperative Federation. Yonhap, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Dong-A Ilbo all reported the figure. The previous record was 1,623,700 won per kilogram, set on September 30, the federation said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The auction that day traded a total of 38.79 kilograms for 22,634,953 won, the reports said. By grade, first-grade mushrooms accounted for 0.35 kilograms at 1,711,700 won per kilogram, second grade 0.31 kilograms at 1,411,700 won, growth-stopped mushrooms 1.52 kilograms at 1,051,700 won, gaesan grade 6.63 kilograms at 867,700 won and off-grade 29.98 kilograms at 475,210 won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yangyang pine mushrooms normally command high prices before Chuseok, when gift demand peaks, Yonhap reported, but this year the high price range has continued after the holiday as well. Industry officials quoted in the reports attributed the level to hot, dry weather that has reduced production, combined with steady demand after Chuseok. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The mushrooms are known for lower moisture content and firmer bodies, which the reports said gives them a deep and rich aroma. They can be harvested only during a limited period, which the reports said makes them scarce and pushes prices high. In 2006 the Korea Forest Service registered them as the first geographically indicated forest product, according to Yonhap and Kyunghyang Shinmun. Kyunghyang Shinmun said the high prices have earned them the nickname “golden mushrooms”. [ 1 , 2 ]
The 2026 Yangyang Songi Salmon Festival is scheduled to run from October 16 to 18, according to Yonhap and Kyunghyang Shinmun. Kyunghyang Shinmun said the event will be held on the Namdaecheon riverbank in Yangyang-eup, Yangyang County. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
Pine mushrooms are a signature product of Yangyang and the auction price is the reference for what growers there earn, so a record level is significant for the local economy even as buyers pay more. The reports tie the price to weather-reduced supply and to demand outlasting the Chuseok gift season, which the documents present as unusual for this time of year. The record comes shortly before the county's annual pine mushroom festival on October 16-18.
Key facts
- The first-grade auction price of Yangyang pine mushrooms was set at 1,711,700 won per kilogram on October 4, a record. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The previous record was 1,623,700 won per kilogram, set on September 30. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The October 4 auction traded 38.79 kilograms in total for 22,634,953 won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Other grades sold at 1,411,700 won per kilogram for second grade, 1,051,700 won for growth-stopped mushrooms, 867,700 won for gaesan grade and 475,210 won for off-grade mushrooms. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Industry officials cited hot, dry weather and continued demand after Chuseok as reasons for the high prices. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yangyang pine mushrooms were registered in 2006 as the first geographically indicated forest product by the Korea Forest Service. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The 2026 Yangyang Songi Salmon Festival is scheduled for October 16 to 18. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Yangyang first-grade pine mushroom auction price on October 4 was 1,711,700 won per kilogram, a record. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The previous record was 1,623,700 won per kilogram on September 30. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The October 4 auction traded 38.79 kilograms for 22,634,953 won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Industry officials attributed the high prices to hot, dry weather reducing production and to steady demand after Chuseok. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The 2026 Yangyang Songi Salmon Festival is scheduled for October 16 to 18. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- How far production has fallen. The reports say industry officials believe output has declined because of hot and dry weather but give no harvest or production figures.
- Whether prices will stay at this level. The documents describe the current price trend and its causes but give no forecast or official price outlook.
- Where the traded mushrooms were sold and to whom. The documents report only auction volumes, grades and prices, with no detail on buyers or destinations.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap reports that the Yangyang first-grade pine mushroom auction price set the previous day reached a record 1,711,700 won per kilogram, with the full grade-by-grade results. [ 1 ]
- Kyunghyang Shinmun publishes its report on the record, noting the “golden mushroom” nickname and the October 16-18 festival venue. [ 2 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo publishes its report on the record price and the grade-by-grade auction results. [ 3 ]