Big fortune sprouting from small fungus

KUNMING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Entering March, Li Yongfen and her daughter-in-law were finally able to enjoy a well-deserved rest, putting an end to their days of getting up in the early morning to harvest black truffles deep in the forest.
From last November to February, the family from Yongren County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, picked some 200 kg of wild black truffles, bringing home an additional income of 18,000 yuan (2,538 U.S. dollars).
Dubbed the "black diamond" in some European countries, the precious black truffle is one of the most expensive edible fungi in the world.
As the fungus gains increasing popularity among Chinese consumers and various products are developed, an industrial chain that covers production, processing, sales and product innovation is being established in Yunnan, a major province for black truffle growth.
Based on the previous picking experience, Li was able to estimate the growing locations of truffles.
"This year, the truffle prices are fairly good, reaching up to 500 yuan per kilo," said Li.

https://english.news.cn/20240314/c35a974b7d0b493c86280bdf5bb70d50/c.html​