The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Kazhi Gewog under Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag saw an increase in cordyceps yields comparing to the previous year.
The auction, which was held a week ago, saw participation of 30 households from the Gewog with around 90 people involved in the collection of the fungus. Three people a household can venture into collection of the fungus.
Two kilograms of cordyceps were auctioned this year in the gewog.
The best quality of cordyceps in the gewog, often segregated as group A fetched Nu 930,000 per kilogram while the next best fetched Nu 500,000 per kilo.
Kazhi Gup, Wangdi, said the yields from the gewog comprised more than three kilograms this year during the bidding. “Those households or the collectors who are not satisfied with the rates proposed by the buyers during bidding withdraw from the auction and they sell elsewhere with the hope to make more lucrative deals,” said the gup. Gup Wangdi also added that although the yields are higher this year, the quality of the cordyceps were hampered by rain. “With continuous rain, the collectors without having any option kept the cordyceps inside their house which greatly compromised the quality.”
Phub Tashi from Kazhi Gewog said his collection was 500 pieces this year, which earned him Nu. 290, 000. “Although the yields are good this year, we could not fetch better prices as expected. We’ve noticed that there are very few buyers who participated during the auction which directly hampered our prices,” said Phub Tashi.
