AUSTRALIAN black truffles made their debut appearance in South Korean markets this week, an example of how the local industry is developing export markets for the pricey fungus.
Australia's fledgling truffle industry produced about 1.5 tonnes of Perigord black truffles, or Tuber melanosporum, last year. Production is forecast to exceed two tonnes this year and five tonnes within the next few years, The Australian Financial Review reports.
Truffles grow underground around hazel and oak trees, the roots of which have been injected with fungal spores.
The high cost of truffles, around $3000 a kilogram, and an undeveloped domestic market, means that around 75 per cent of Australia's harvest is exported.
Wholesale export truffles sell for around $2000 a kilogram. Australian truffles are exported to Europe, the United States and Asia, including China, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Korea is the latest destination.
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