TIL BDR GHALLEY Thimphu
Many cordyceps collectors in Naro Gewog, Thimphu, withheld part or all of their harvest from this year’s annual auction after prices fell below expectations, with collectors citing limited competition among buyers and growing uncertainty over the future of a trade that remains a key source of income for Bhutan’s highland communities.
The auction, held in Naro Gewog, brought together around 180 collectors and about 20 licensed buyers from across the country. It provides a formal platform where collectors sell cordyceps directly to buyers through competitive bidding.
However, bidders said auction prices were primarily determined by the quality and grade of the cordyceps offered, with higher-quality harvests attracting stronger bids.
For many households in Bhutan’s highland communities, cordyceps remains the single largest source of seasonal cash income, helping families pay for education, healthcare, food supplies and other household expenses.
According to figures from the second day of the auction, the highest individual earnings from this year’s harvest reached Nu. 936,000, while the lowest stood at Nu. 190,000. The variation reflected differences in the quantity and quality of cordyceps collected during the harvesting season.
Despite those earnings, several collectors said the prices offered per gram were lower than they had expected and did not reflect the effort, risks and time involved in harvesting the prized fungus.
19-year-old Phuntsho Wangmo, who participated in the collection season for the first time, decided not to sell her harvest after observing the auction prices.
“I expected at least Nu. 500 per gram,” she said. “After seeing the prices offered, I decided to keep my cordyceps instead of selling it. The amount offered did not match the effort we put into collecting it.”
She said limited participation from buyers reduced competition during the auction.
“Collectors spend weeks in the mountains facing cold weather, difficult terrain and many challenges. If there were more bidders, there could be stronger competition and collectors would have a better chance of receiving fair prices.”
Yeshey Om, 57, who has collected cordyceps for many years, said the trade has become increasingly uncertain as harvesting becomes more difficult while returns become less predictable.
“In the past, we were more confident about the income we could earn from cordyceps,” she said. “Now we spend more time searching, but the returns are becoming uncertain. We are working harder but earning less than before.”
She said declining availability of cordyceps has added to the challenges faced by collectors.
“There are fewer cordyceps in many areas now. We have to walk farther and spend more days in the mountains to collect the same amount. If the resource continues to decline and prices also keep falling, it will become difficult for many families to continue depending on this livelihood.”
Another collector, Sonam Phuntsho, 34, said he expected better prices even for his Grade C harvest.
“I expected around Nu. 500 per gram even for Grade C cordyceps,” he said. “People often think highlanders are fortunate because we can collect cordyceps, but they do not see the hardship behind every gram. We spend weeks away from our families and work in some of the most difficult conditions.”
Sonam Phuntsho said the decline in prices appeared to have started last year and called for more research into the reasons behind the trend.
“There should be proper research into why prices are falling,” he said. “We need to understand whether it is because of changes in demand, export markets or other factors affecting the trade. Collectors deserve to know what is happening.”
He said the cordyceps market should remain beneficial for both collectors and buyers.
“Buyers should also earn a reasonable profit, but collectors should receive a fair return for the work we do. The market should support both sides and not leave one side carrying all the burden.”
Sonam Phuntsho brought 11 grams of Grade C cordyceps to the auction but decided not to sell after assessing the prices.
“I have more cordyceps at here, but I chose not to sell because the prices were too low,” he said. “There is no point selling when the value does not match the effort involved.”
Instead, he said he would consider selling his cordyceps directly to tourists, as collectors are now permitted to do so.
“Even if I sell only a small quantity directly to tourists, it would still help sustain our livelihood,” he said.
He also expressed concern about the long-term sustainability of the resource.
“Every year it becomes harder to find cordyceps. If the resource continues to decline and prices also keep falling, collectors will face increasing difficulties.”
Older collectors attending the auction shared similar concerns, saying cordyceps harvesting has traditionally provided income that supports families throughout much of the year.
One senior collector said prices should better reflect the risks involved in harvesting at elevations above 4,000 metres.
“We are not asking for unusually high prices,” he said. “We only want the value of our work and the risks we take to be recognised.”
Several collectors called for more licensed buyers to participate in future auctions, saying greater competition could improve price discovery and strengthen confidence in the market.
Others urged relevant agencies to study domestic and international market trends to determine whether declining prices were linked only to qualities, weaker demand, export conditions or other factors affecting the trade.
Bidders maintained that auction prices reflect the quality and grade of cordyceps available, with variations in quality naturally affecting the final bids.
The annual auction continues to provide a transparent platform for direct transactions between collectors and buyers. However, this year’s event highlighted growing concerns among collectors over the sustainability of one of Bhutan’s most valuable natural resources and a crucial source of income for highland communities.
While some collectors sold their harvest, others returned home with unsold cordyceps, choosing to wait for more favourable market conditions before selling.
