China is the world's largest ₩$¶producer of edible mushrooms,>β≥ and the flourishing ‍§development of the edi×<÷×ble mushroom industry has played aσ€$ significant role in ₹'→areas such as targeted pover  ty alleviation, the development of ®"¶₹circular economy, gree÷®n ecological agriculture, and<★ modern agriculture. Especially a'€≥$fter the 20th National Conα"gress of the Communist Party of China, §•the central government issued the "©♥;Opinions of the Central Committee o¥ f the Communist Party of China and Ω©¥the State Council on Doing a Gooα✔"<d Job in the Key Work of Com₩≥®∏prehensively Promoting Rural Revitali÷ >'zation in 2023",☆¶ which put forward importan≈₽t instructions for building a socialis×✘↕t modernized strong country i♣α×n the face of unprec♠"edented changes in the world and a∑∞♦dhering to the basic princi ✘<γples of agriculture, ruralΩ₽÷≤ areas, and farmers. The developm↑©✔ent of edible mushrooms hΩ↑¶as been elevated to an important strat& egic position of "building a di&≥versified food supply system&π<®quot;.

Under the guidance of this strate±§₹↕gic program, the development mo ♠$mentum of China's edible mushroo♥φm industry is even stronα£ger, with traditional in"✔dustries experiencing frequent peaks•λ€♥, industrial upgrading constantly imp↔​¶₩roving, and product inn£≠♠∏ovation emerging in an endl'✘<σess variety of new p ≤®↔roducts. A high-end fungus called eco↑π→logical matsutake has qu★ ietly entered the dining table  ↓∞of consumers.

What is Ecological Matsutake

Red Pine Mushroom, whose real naα ₽me should be Big Ball Cap Mushro§π★✔om, is also sought after b↓γ£←y practitioners and γδ₩consumers due to its app‍>earance similar to that of∑φ ≠ Matsutake. According to statisti>Ωσcs from the China Edible Fungi Associ δation, the planting area of Bα₹Ω§ig Ball Cap Mushroom has reache&↑↓§d 45000 mu in 2022, which h ¶∏♣as more than doubled compar✔∑ed to the planting area before the outb₹↔$reak of the epidemic. The planti≥γδ¶ng area has covered almost all province₩≈s in the country, including Xinjia✘δ♣ng, Xizang and other plateau ar←€eas.

Ecological matsutake, although a↕ ☆Ωn improved form of shiitake mushroom, ☆<>♦has gradually achieved ♦♥÷★advantages such as high nutritional c₽∞φ↔ontent, stable genetic performance, ≈≥★and significantly in""₹↕creased yield after nearly 20 years $πof continuous improvement in China. Du®€e to its high protein and aδ "mino acid content, it has surpassed©$β¥ other shiitake mushrooms in terms of♣< taste and has a stronger a£₹♥roma.

According to incomplete s♠σ¶•tatistics, before 2019, there were l©♥ess than 5 bases and companies in  ÷China that planted ecol€×ogical matsutake. By 2022, there wi★×€αll be more than 30, mainly in Ω§☆Shandong, Sichuan, Henan, YuΩ™₽nnan and Xizang. In thσ₩✘e Korean market, high-end ingre♠ dients sold through a similar dire∑Ω≠ct sales model have gradually moved >★towards mass consumption, and ar<σe sold in major online shopping $∞malls in Korea, with incre ↓±asing consumer acceptance.

01. Rare things are pre£β‍☆cious

With the protection of ♣ ∏©rare edible and medicinal mushroom res₹$↑₩ources by the country, the marke©₩t share of wild matsutake∏©¥​ will decrease. Artificial cul∑$β₹tivation of matsutake®& is still a global pro±‍"blem. Therefore, ecological mat§£sutake, with its highly similar app¥→ λearance, quality, and taste to w₩'ild matsutake, will naturally become σ ☆ the best substitute for w‍£∞ild matsutake.

02. The concept of great →‍health has deeply rooted π€αεin people's hearts

The UN Food and Agriculture Organi$•©zation (FAO) and the World'‌↓ Health Organization$‌ (WHO) have proposed a >π☆scientific human diet of "one σ®↕§meat, one vegetable and one mushroom&qu≤σ‍"ot;. After the COVID-19 epi ®demic swept the world, it has gra"•€dually been recognized by the publ >ic. More and more people$♥©‌ have begun to pay attention to heaε♦↕lthy diet automatically and consciousl→<©y.

Recently, Japan'&∏s reckless dumping of nuclear con"•taminated wastewater into the ♥↑∏>ocean undoubtedly caused the '≠•world to suffer a nuclear strike ₽≥≤≥without exception. The matsutak∑ e industry, which has th>'♦γe ability to prevent×≥ radiation and improve immune functiλ∏on, is winning. After all, ★•♣ there is a historical reco§φ₽rd that "Matsutake isβ≈" the only creature th≠♥at survived Japan's at♠∞←‌omic bomb strike," and →♣this achievement is a tang φ™ible honor.

03. Upgrading and Promoting Rura§£✔l Revitalization

Driven by policy trends, the traditi↓↓onal edible mushroom inγ₹dustry is rapidly developingεσ‍× and undergoing a reshuffle and upgr∏↔εading of the industr•≈&§y. Traditional strains of mushroomδ×↔s such as shiitake mushrooms, black f®÷ungus, and abalone mus★♣™®hrooms have seen their profits ≤≤continuously decrease, leading t∑↕✘o the iteration of variet÷∏✔®ies in the industry and changes i↑≈₽βn the planting intentions of farmers. Nε♠↓αew products with high added value an©×→d high profit margins have nat₩≈↔urally become the first choice and atteδ•★mpt for farmers.

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The Risks Behind the Rise of Ecologi≥ ¥cal Matsutake

The emergence of a ne×βw variety itself does not m‌γ∏atter whether it is good or bad, and thγ€πσe final standard for tes☆÷←♦ting the quality of this product iγ s only the market.

Ecological matsutake, ♠≤™×on the one hand, occupies a p<•¶σlace in the high-end mark ☆₹₩et due to its "h∏"£igh imitation" specificity,→λγ which naturally allows some &β÷practitioners engaged in bacter∞π"ial strains, cultivation, and channel‍± sales to obtain high profits.

It is understood that the ecologi®↑cal Tricholoma matsutake has a st'€✔able gross profit margin of over  >₩€60% from the plantin↔β×g, processing, and planting stage×¥s. The sales price of universal mu↓™shroom bags is around 15 yφ§§uan/stick; Under normal p∑₹♥®roduction conditions, grow&™>ers can achieve a gross profit ma÷§rgin of 40-50% by wholesale s¥∏elling products through channel'≠←δs; The profit margin in sales channelsδ♣& is even more surprising. ↓©δ↕After obtaining a first-hand source≥∞₹' of goods from growers, traders g₽↕radually flow to the end co≈↓$•nsumer group. They earn m•  ore profit from information asymmetry, >β∑selling a scarce product whiλ le consumers buy a nα×ovel one. Generally, the retail prσ<•ice at the end is between 300-400 yua× 'n/kg, Even during holidays, th ‌αe terminal sales price '★∞in the high-end market unexpe>≠σπctedly showed a trend of 1960 yua​ ↕¶n/kg.

Undoubtedly, the firs♣£ ₽t group of people who ateλλ∞≈ crabs tasted the swee™$tness, although this sweetness m♠$¶ay be very short-lived.

High profits are generally accompanied¥  by high risks. Through recγ•ent research and understanding of growe₹÷ rs and sales markets in Henπ£↓↑an, Xinjiang, Shandong and other r♦≈♥↔egions, the rise of the ecolo£→←gical matsutake industry has gradua♣"&↓lly exposed more and"> more criticisms and π•™risks.

Impure bacterial strai∑φ ‍n

Ecological matsutake itself ♠πoriginates from a mutated s✔α₹hiitake mushroom strain, and th→∞≈e genetic instability ©λ£of the strain is inevitable. Th↓'•erefore, continuous rejuve♥£ελnation and purification are needed,÷§∞ and even further improvement by pΩ↑rofessionals is needed. Some €αpractitioners, in or∞∑ der to enter the production of this new≠>✘ variety, cleverly extract and prδ ocess mushroom fruiting bodies for ≥∞≈secondary cultivation or directly sellε<¶ them to growers, resulting ₩$ ¶in a decrease in yield, excessive def​♠>ormed mushrooms, and retrogressive ‍λ₩₹stem aging, causing huge l≠ε>λosses to growers.

2. Unclear planting techni®★αques

Ecological matsutake, ₽₹due to its specificity,∏' naturally has vastly di♦$φσfferent management requ↕ irements from ordinary shiitake mus∞‍hrooms in terms of c₹£¶ultivation and management. There are Ω"♥αsignificant differences and special rε€₩™equirements in the planting en‌'Ω≠vironment and management para♥$meters, and as a new straiΩ§←Ωn, the industrial chain of this varie✔♦ty is not yet perfect, especially i↕'n the training process, whi&←♦♦ch is still blank. Most grow‍™ ‍ers believe that they ha¶"ve been engaged in mushroom cultivatio•∑n for a long time and can boldly  φtry it out. However, ♥≥they are unaware that the fac€±™ilities and conditions f<≠Ω or mushroom management are not suitable↑₽γ✘, and any effort put into ↓'σlater management is f☆®₹utile.

3. Bold blind stem

Without being familiar ♦<✘with the properties of tλπ§<he strain, possessing no purit∑'y of the strain, understanding managem↔"ent techniques, and market demand,♣λ₹ strain manufacturers bold↑€↕ly counterfeit and extract secφ÷ond-generation, even third-¥ generation, and fourth generation strai₽∞ns, and then deceive growers to purcha¶∏se mushroom bags at hig &αβh prices for cultivation, re≠ sulting in a disastrous ←α±∏mushroom production. Sequentia‌™lly, growers impersonatε e matsutake mushrooms with deforme ↔↓ d "gourd heads" and →π¶≥sell them to consumers. Thi♥λ∑s is just a one shot deal, and•®→↑ after it's smashed, φ&σit disappears without a trace.

4. Misleading consum™¶&ption

Ecological matsutakeε↔‍ is not originally matsutake, but®π∞ rather based on the similarity betwee §n the product and its appearan↔>∏ce. It is often referr"♥ed to as "ecolog ↕'∏ical matsutake" or &quo£₹t;hazelnut matsutake&‌πφαquot;, just like "red mat≈φα↔sutake" or "large ball↕‍≠β cap mushroom.".Ω•♠ Therefore, it is extremely wrΩ©♦​ong to pass off substandard pr≤≥σoducts and sell them a δs wild matsutake in the consumer mar'₹ket.

5. Unclear market

Agricultural projects hav•₩♦e always been recognized as high-ris↕♣k industries, and edible fungi, as a✘<πn important component →≤≠♥of agriculture, naturally lo™σse their high-risk characteristic'β✘s, such as long investment cycles, ÷∏βmultiple planting risk p↕αoints, and unclear sales expectations. ±β∞Therefore, in the field of edible ​§mushroom cultivation, variouΩα∞s niche products and strains blindly λ'‌plant new and niche varieti÷γ₹λes without strong plant"‌ing techniques and clear m✔‌☆arket demand, Undoubtedly, it ≥βis a moth to the fire.

Three risk prevention measu₩₹↔res

Comprehensively prom♠∑oting rural revitalization and blooming¶♠¥♥ a hundred flowers is the pros"☆¥±perous situation of Chinφφδ∑a's edible mushroom industry.

Not only have tradit'"±★ional strains such as shiitake mushr©"ooms, black fungus, shiit§£≈¥ake mushrooms, and morel mu☆♠♣shrooms developed rapidly, but also uni≠πque products such as ecol‍×≥σogical matsutake, large bal​★αl cap mushroom, black skin chicken fiγ>≤↓r, lotus leaf pleated umbrelε¶ la, and blood ear hav←≠×σe emerged. This reflects the inn<∑∏​ovative and pioneering≥✔∑  spirit of new farmers in the new era,✘÷ and also demonstrates the strong v≠↓✘itality and vitality of Chin∑↑a's edible mushroom industry.

Ecological matsutake, since it c★∞an be listed as a "matsutake&qu₹≥ot; tree, coupled with its excellent ✔™‌quality, taste, and high commerc©♥εial and economic value, should naturaφ✔$lly have greater development sp§♦λ☆ace and bring greater c÷☆✔ommercial value. This tests the <♦decision-making powe✔₩×r and accuracy of developmen↔•✔t guidance of mushro÷≥α om practitioners.

Firstly, fundamentally speaking, we€←α" must first address the issue o↔☆₽f ideological cognition.♦∑" Be firm in the "yes" and &qu€≥×±ot;no" of this new variety. Then‍♣™γ, based on the nature ♥δα♦of this variety, make a decision on α₩how to operate this new va‌λεriety. If one harbors a sense ×δof luck, pretending to be inferior anγ≈λd attempting to use this mu×¥✘€tated variety to impersona☆φ≈♣te wild matsutake, they will ultimately≤±§ be backfired by the mark∑₽Ωet.

Secondly, it is necessary to stre£πφngthen learning, adhere  ₹to the principles of goo₹&d seeds and laws, and learn st₩£©andardized planting techniques ×‌πfrom professional institutions ♠$βor technical practitione☆£≤rs. And in practice, we cons↕≤≤≠tantly explore and standardize∏®γε the requirements of plan✘↑✘ting facilities, planting management paφ$λrameters, planting and harvπ‍✘✘esting standards, etc., which <‌cannot be satisfied with "human∑δσ✘ cultivation and natural cultivation,"Ω✔ wide planting and thinλ  harvesting".

Again, it is about controlli$₹ng scale and preventing marke ↓₽t risks. Small and niche bacterial s ∏↓§trains must not blindly enter ×♠and expand the planting area™σ&§ for granted. The best state is to ac÷☆•λhieve market dominan×÷ce and determine production ↑φ‍↔based on sales. Otherwise, growers wit♦•→hout risk resistance
 are not recommended to plant.

Finally, it is also the fundamental w≤‌​$ay for this strain to deδγβvelop in its early stage↕ s. Adhering to the priαπnciples of "technology ↔δ&leading" and "industry leσ≤σ₹ading", this is mainly aimed © ¶at large edible mushroom¶ ₽₽ enterprises with scient☆ ®ific research capabilities and financia₽✘ l strength. While en↓♦ suring the quality of≤±≈ research and cultivation technolo£♦™§gy, we actively expand and extend th♦ <e industrial chain, expand the<£™ deep processing industry such as ec↔Ω$®ological matsutake nutrient extractionγ', and use "flow expansi♥®on" to drive the "δ☆αproduction expansion" of♠' source cultivation. Only when the indu♦±strial chain is formed can ecolog≈®ical matsutake have a continuous"​↕ vitality.

We sincerely hope that this ali←φen mushroom elf can illu>βminate the smiling faces of farme✔ε£rs and bring about the takeoff of r€✘♣ural revitalization!