Natural wild pine mushroom shipments in North Gyeongsang Province have fallen sharply, with Maeil Shinmun reporting that autumn production was about 80% below usual levels. In Yeongdeok, a leading production area, shipments reached 2,008 kilograms by October 18, compared with 10,612 kilograms at the same point last year, while the reported auction value fell from about 1.875 billion won to 746.14 million won.
The report attributed the decline to last year’s large wildfires, pine wilt disease, heatwaves and drought, warning that multiple pressures are weakening the region’s mushroom production base.