Nakhon Ratchasima Residents Harvest and Sell Termite Mushrooms at Prices Higher Than Beef and Pork, Earning Thousands Daily
Nakhon Ratchasima residents are harvesting termite mushrooms from forests after May rains, selling premium specimens for 500 baht per kilogram—more than beef or pork—and earning thousands daily through social media sales.
Since early May, continuous rainfall has prompted Nakhon Ratchasima residents to venture into natural forests to harvest termite mushrooms, a seasonal delicacy known for its tender, delicious texture. The mushrooms help reduce household expenses and provide income when surplus is sold. Residents wake before dawn to forage in the forests, often collecting substantial quantities. Fresh, unopened mushroom caps command 500 baht per kilogram, while older, opened blooms fetch around 300 baht, with prices declining further as quality decreases. Virot Vonsantiea, 46, from Pang Asoek village in Pak Chong district, reported collecting 10 kilograms over two days, generating 3,000-4,000 baht in sales through Facebook. Throughout the forests behind local villages, many residents are simultaneously engaged in mushroom harvesting, capitalizing on the favorable conditions.
