WILD MUSHROOM PRICES
The shorter fall days in the Pacific Northwest signal the transition to the dark and rainy months. Silver lining to this is the start of prime wild mushroom season. Chanterelles, lobsters, boletes, and matsutakes are highly sought-out in our forests, and eager foragers make their way into the woods to look for them. Many of these species of mushrooms are impossible or extremely difficult to commercially cultivate, thus finding them in the wild is the only way for them to make their way to your plate. Harvests vary season to season, so this sets up an interesting classic supply and demand study.
We tracked chanterelle mushroom prices (per pound) at seven different comparable grocers in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle (3 locations), Mount Vernon and Bellingham. Prices were obtained each Monday of the week, and if chanterelles were not available in a certain week, the price is shown as $0.
We tracked chanterelle mushroom prices (per pound) at seven different comparable grocers in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle (3 locations), Mount Vernon and Bellingham. Prices were obtained each Monday of the week, and if chanterelles were not available in a certain week, the price is shown as $0.
Key Findings:
- Prices started at an average of around $20/pound and dropped down to $15/pound.
- Surprisingly, prices did not significantly increase into December, at which point all stores ran out of inventory.
- Prices varied widely among grocers in the region, with a three-fold seasonal range varying from $8/pound up to $25/pound.
- Geographically, prices were less expensive in central and southern Washington than the northern part of the State.