What Does This Mushroom Have That Makes It Cost Over $500 per Kilogram?

In the vast agricultural geography of China, a silent revolution is underway. And it's not about grains, fruits, or vegetables, but mushrooms. This sector, which for decades was a subsistence and wild foraging activity, is now one of the pillars of the country's agro-industrial growth. China is not only one of the largest producers and exporters of wild edible mushrooms on the planet, but has also transformed this activity into one of the most profitable in its rural economy, surpassing even traditional industries such as sugar, cotton, or tobacco. The value of mushroom production in China is among the top five within the agricultural spectrum, just behind crops like cereals, vegetables, fruits, and edible oil. This industry has generated a profound impact on poverty alleviation programs, offering rural communities incomes at least ten times higher than those obtained from traditional crops like rice or corn. One of the great drivers of this transformation has been technological ...