Truffles An Unexploited Treasure in Pakistan Issues and Options Sidra Majeed 1 and Dr. Shahid Ahmad 2 April 2011 1 Scientific Officer INRM Cell, NRD, PARC 2 Member Incharge NRD, PARC
Truffles An Unexploited Treasure in Pakistan- Issues and Options 1. Motivation In Natural Resource Division, PARC a special initiative was taken and therefore priority was settled for the development of natural products from the agriculture sector. Ranging from understanding the markets into which new products will be sold to determining which products has more commercial potential; while this priority was settled one of the scientists named Mr. Karim Nawaz while working on the spate irrigated area of D. G. Khan, brought the Information about the occurrence of truffles 3 in that area. Truffles are highly priced in the international market. It is a delicacy and unexploited potential in Pakistan. Although few people exploited the niche market but still it s a most valuable treasure lying unexposed in the lands of Pakistan. After having the introduction of truffles scientists in NRD were motivated to do the research from the secondary and primary sources. In this Regard first effort was made in the shape of this study. It is a preliminary research pointing towards the potential of truffle cultivation in Pakistan. Moreover the purpose of this study is to make scientists aware of truffles and its occurrence in Pakistan; it will also help in exploring refined facts from different areas. This study will focus on the issues that have hindered the research in this area and options that can make it a success in Pakistan. Following this study a companion paper will be released focusing on the methods for cultivation of truffles. Besides this another study will be conducted in NRD on other species of natural mushrooms like morels which is also a high value and promising specie of natural mushrooms and unlike truffles it also have a commercial market value in Pakistan and it has wider prospects within country unlike truffles. 2. Background Truffles are hypogenous (underground) versions of mushrooms. They don't form a prominent stem and their spore-bearing surfaces are enclosed. They rely on animals eating them (mycophagy) to distribute their spores, instead of air currents like mushrooms. Truffles resemble small potatoes, and often between the size of a marble and a golf ball. There are hundreds of different kinds of truffles, and while none are known to be poisonous, only a few of them are considered to be delicacies by humans (Oregon Garden Rediscovery Forest and Oregon Forest Resources Institute 2005). Truffles grow in conjunction with the roots of a higher plant. Many of these are mycorrhizal 4 ; Mycorrhizal mushrooms are the hardest to grow commercially, because the needs of both the fungus and the host plant must be met in order to produce a commercial crop. Also, the host plant typically must reach a certain physiological maturity before the fungus will fruit. When the host is a tree, this maturation may be measured in decades. Nevertheless, highly prized morels and truffles are mycorrhizal, and they are both now being grown commercially in many countries (NCAT 2004). Truffles belong to the order of Pezizales, widespread filamentous ascomycetes which also include species with exposed (epigeous) fruit bodies, such as the morels. The highest prized truffles belong to 3Truffle is a fungi fruiting body that develops underground. There are hundreds of species of truffles and some are highly priced as a food in the international market. 4 Mycorrhizae is a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) association between some kinds of fungi and plants.
the genus Tuber as for example the white truffle Tuber magnatum and the black Tuber melanosporum (University of Parma Italy 2000). Truffle hunting in the desert requires substantial ecological knowledge, as truffles occur sporadically and only with adequate and properly distributed rainfall as well as the presence of necessary soil conditions and mycorrhizal hosts. Truffles are hunted by looking at cracks or humps in the soil caused by expansion of the truffles, which are then extracted with digging sticks (Trappe et. al. 2008). Truffles of various kinds are found throughout Europe, Asia, America, Australia and Africa. Truffles are harvested in winter, using specially trained dogs and pigs. Handlers carefully dig out the truffle, which can be as much as 30cm below the surface. Retail prices typically range from hundreds to over a thousand dollars per pound (Southern Woods Info Sheet 2010). 3. Natural Habitats for Truffles In order to complete their life cycle, they must enter into symbioses with the roots of trees, such as the oak, poplar and willow, via specialized nutrient-gathering organs known as mycorrhizae with dense foliage. Truffles are fungus and ectomycorrhizal that is they are found in association with plant roots, and have a symbiotic relationship with the trees they grow under. Truffles prefer oaks, beech, hazels or poplars, and like sun and a moist, alkaline soil. It takes 5-8 years for them to start fruiting (Woodlands Company UK 2008). 4. International Prices The price of truffle varies from region to region and specie to specie and there is wide range of prices for different species and time is also a dictating factor. The truffles in natural system are commonly having a seasonality character. High price of truffles is due to their unpredictable growth habits. Retail prices typically range from hundreds to over a thousand dollars per Kg. The common range of price is between $ 5000-6000/kg. For instance price of white truffles (Tuber Magnatum) for the year 2010 are given as $ 250000/ kg in Italy (Anakin 2010). According to National Geographic News the price of white truffle in Italy is reported to be $ 2600-5000/kg in the year 2005. In Miami USA the price of White truffle is reported as 13500-22500/kg in year 2008 depending upon the quality of truffles (CNN News 2008). Ministry of Agriculture in France shows that in 2006-07, the production of French black truffles was around 13 tons and average prices ranged from US $ 900-1000/kg. Australian industry members, during a visit to France, observed wholesale prices in the range of 800 to 1500 Euros per kg (approximately AU$1350 to 2500 per kg) and confirmed that French growers expect the pricing to remain strong, for at least a decade while supply is low and demand high (Lee 2008). The major export market opportunities for Australia include Europe, Asia and North America due to the counter-seasonal supply advantage. However, prices for Australian exported truffles from the Hazel Hill truffière have been reported as achieving wholesale prices of USD$1,500-3,000 per kg (Malajczuk and Amaranthus 2007).
In 2006 Prices of USA for Summer Truffle are $825 US$/kg and Fresh Perigord Truffle is given as $4,752 US$/kg. These are retail prices, and include a 100% tariff on imported truffles imposed by the US government (Marky 2006). 5. Prospects of Truffles in Pakistan Truffles in Pakistan are mostly found in the spate irrigated areas of D. I. Khan and D.G. Khan. In Pakistan farmers explain that rain water on desert land, fallow lands, and fields free from pesticides and fertilizer provide the best basis for wild mushrooms to grow. Spate water is equally good. Spate irrigation fields and adjacent sites, where spate water has spread once, are particularly suitable. The Kachhi region (Balochistan) is considered among the best grounds for wild mushrooms in the country (The Pakistan Spate Irrigation Network 2011). Figure 1. Regions identified for Natural Mushrooms In Pakistan there is identification of some varieties (probably white truffles) of truffles in different areas. These are mostly spate irrigated areas and it includes, D. I. Khan, D. G. Khan, Thanabula Khan, Bar Khan, Northern areas of Naran and Kaghan, Muree hills etc.
Some of these areas were visited by the survey team of NR, and some instances of underground mushrooms were found out. People at these places were interviewed in order to get information about the usage of these underground mushrooms. The local name of this mushroom varies from place to place. In Muree Area (Ghora Gali), local name is called Gandair. In D.I.Khan it is called zami zung but local people in Muree just throw them away like any anything. People in Muree prefer to eat wild mushrooms (morels). They eat morels in combination with minced meat. Some people sale the morels in the nearby city. Some people at different places got some awareness about truffles being an expensive food in the foreign countries; people who are aware of its value are reluctant to share the information so they can get maximum benefit out of its sale. But those who tried to make it a business are facing difficulty for the identification of the species, market identification, meeting export standards etc. it is not a success up till now as a business as there is no prior research on underground mushrooms. As far as local consumption is concerned usually people don t have any awareness of this mushroom being a food and due to its strange aroma they usually through it and/or are unable to identify it. Throughout the world the reported host trees are mostly oak tree, pines and hazel nuts but as far as Pakistan case is concerned truffles are found mostly in the fields of Sorghum and Millet in D. I. Khan. Figure 2: Truffles Found from the field of Sorghum and Millet in D. I. Khan Potential areas identified in Pakistan: Saggu, Kohawar, Shero-Kohna, Gundi Umar khan etc are the areas where truffles are found in D.I.Khan. Moreover presence of natural mushrooms is also reported from the areas of D. G. Khan, Thanabula Khan, Bar Khan, Noshki, Northern areas of Narran, Kaghan, and Muree hills. Ecologies for truffles: They are usually found in rain-fed areas within spate irrigated areas, arid mountains and wet mountains of Pakistan. These potato shaped underground mushrooms found in sandy-loamy soil. Seasons for truffles: Season for truffles varies from area to area; they appear as the ecological requirements of truffles are fulfilled. In D.I. Khan Truffles are found in September -October, or at the ripening time of sorghum / millet crop. In Muree it is usually found after the March Rainfall after the occurrence of lightening truffles come out of ground and appear on land and can be picked up. Species: There is wide variety of truffle species throughout the world. In Pakistan there are many evidences for the presence of truffles in different areas but till now there is no identification of species of truffles. In D. I. Khan it is commonly known as zami zung, light
brown in color, good in taste and smell like muddy ginger. It was also found in off-white color. It is also found in white color which resembles Italian white truffles. Host plants: In the area of D.I. Khan the white truffles are found in the field of sorghum and millet in large quantity. In the Muree area they were found in the roots of pine trees but the quantity is not that sufficient. Harvest methods: The soil bulges out showing their presence and then people pull them out. As per local knowledge they (mushrooms) appear in the morning following the night having maximum suffocation (humidity with no wind). While moving out early in the morning these can be collected and first come, first take is the custom. 5. Issues Following risks and constraints be addressed in order to launch the production of the truffles in Pakistan: Education of local people in truffle areas: Consumers in Pakistan are generally not familiar with truffles and their uses. While many chefs though out the world have an appreciation of their value, many consumers are unfamiliar with truffles and are unable to appreciate them as a valuable food item. People in Pakistan who are not aware of it usually throw them away being ignorant of this highly prized food due to its sharp aroma. It is anticipated that people in the areas of truffles must be educated about truffles so they can recognize and earn some credit. Technical Resources and Communications: Currently people in Pakistan are collecting the truffles at their own without any resources. Nevertheless, there is limited independent technical expertise and resources available to the Pakistani truffle collectors as a whole. In this regard, the need for technical support and industry communications with smaller collectors be recognized. In this regard improved communications would support the development of local or regional networks and enable communities to become more capable in issues e.g. cultivation. Identification of right truffle species: As truffle industry is highly flourished throughout the world, many species are identified yet many remained unidentified. Another serious issue is the identification of species in Pakistan which is a complex task. As there is no research in Pakistan carried out on in this area of mycology. How and where to get it identified is a complex question? No Communications: In Pakistan those who are aware of truffles and their high value price in the world market don t let this fact to be exposed to the other people so that other may not receive any benefits out of it, they won t let their benefits to be shared by others, for this reason there is lack of communication and research in this area is facing difficulty. The challenge for the industry during the phase of identification lies in coordinating and managing national priorities. Technical Support of Export Markets: In order to promote the production/cultivation of truffles, export markets will need to be identified. Truffles have a shelf-life of approximately 2-3 weeks and technical protocols may need to be developed to support the integrity and value for truffles. Market Research and International Marketing: In Pakistan there is hardly any research on truffles, it is highly priced food in many countries. However, it is anticipated that Pakistan research environment is not supportive therefore there is need for assistance from foreign countries who are involved in truffle production for identification and cultivation. Moreover it is anticipated that the supply of Pakistani truffles will need to be exported to foreign markets. In
this respect, the industry will need to develop capabilities for international market research and marketing and trading in truffle commodity markets in long run. Grower Knowledge: In Pakistan the production of truffles is natural. There are ways that can be used to cultivate it. In order to make it happen there is a need to get collectors trained and let them to have access to technical support and knowledge for the establishment of truffières and the production of truffles. Nursery Inoculation system be developed: The occurrence of truffles in Pakistan is confirmed in many areas that mean the ecological requirement for truffles is met here. The methodology and technology associated with the inoculation of trees is usually confidential and subject to commercial patent and/or license in many parts of the world. There is need for the development of nursery in Pakistan, which establish the inoculation systems for the production of trees with Tubers or Tuber mycorrhizae and then distribute to the growers. 6. Way Forward Through the application of novel technology and cultivation methods, our goal is to utilize research led systems to establish the truffle as an industry like rest of the world. The challenge for our country to cultivate truffle lies in coordinating and managing national and international priorities. This function needs to be conducted in such a manner, which does not impose additional administrative costs on the economy. This will be carried out in different phases, first phase would be the education/awareness and identification, the second phase would be cultivation and third and most important is to find international market for launching the products of natural mushrooms. It can be addressed by investing in further research. Research investment can support the Pakistan truffle production in many areas like market research, Production and yield management, Quality assurance, grading, Packaging and distribution, new product development, and Applications of new technology. It can be made a success if research projects are funded. The successful establishment and growth of truffle cultivation in Pakistan will bring significant benefits to rural areas, providing not only alternative sources of income but also supporting regional communities with a new and sustainable form of agriculture. Following are the options that if adopted can help in making it a success: Support strategic research in agriculture to start the identification and production of natural mushrooms and such projects should be initiated that expands the promotion and cultivation of truffles Nationwide. As many countries are successfully cultivating truffles. Utilization of International technology and research be made to make it a success. Develop the independent technical skills and resources for the collectors and also in the fields of mycology and truffle cultivation in Pakistan. Support projects to educate collectors and other civil society stake holders not to disturb the natural ecosystem which is conducive for the production of natural mushrooms. Conduct export market research and market development especially for Asian markets. In particular the research should determine price trends due to production and demand factors in international markets. There is a need to develop strategies to underpin future prospects for Pakistan truffles. These strategies may include identification of areas and species, methods for cultivation, production system, research on international markets for launching it as new product, branding, labeling, packaging and quality standards etc. Conduct new product development research
Quality assurance systems for assessment and production. Communications of technical information within local or regional collectors groups. Need for the establishments of nurseries for inoculation of host trees. References 1. Anakin 2010, Macaue Casino Magnate Buys Truffles for $ 330,000, Billionaire Life, Macaue. 2. GOF 2007, French black truffles, Ministry of Agriculture France. 3. Lee. B 2008, Taking Stocks of the Australian Truffle Industry, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), RIRDC Publication No 08/124. Australia. 4. Malajczuk, N and Amaranthus, M. (2007) Cultivation of Tuber species in Australia. Proceedings: La Culture de la Truffe dans le Monde, Brive-la Gaillarde, Feb. 2007, pp.9-18. 5. NCAT 2004, Mushroom Cultivation and Marketing, Horticulture Production Guide. National Center for Appropriate Technology, California. 6. Oregon Garden Rediscovery and Oregon Forest Resources Institute 2005, an Oregon Garden Guide to Truffles, Oregon, USA. 7. Southern Woods Info Sheet 22, 2010. Truffles, New Zeeland. 8. The Pakistan Spate Irrigation Network 2011, Desert Truffle Mushrooms in Spate Irrigation Areas, Pakistan. 9. Trappe. J. M. et. al. 2008, Desert Truffles of the Australian Outback: Ecology, Ethnomycology, and Taxonomy, Journal of Economic Botany, 62(3), 2008, pp. 497 506, The New York Botanical Garden Press, Bronx, NY 10458-5126 U.S.A. 10. University of Parma 2000, What if anything is truffles? Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Italy. 11. Woodlands Company 2008, Grow Your Own Truffles, United Kingdom. Web Links 12. http://www.markys.com/caviar/customer/product.php?productid=16606&cat=506&page=1 13. CNN News 2008 14. National Geographic News, 2005. Acknowledgements This study was conducted with the help of various scientists of PARC and beyond, survey was conducted in Muree Ghora Gali with the help of Mr. Akhlaq Khan Kakar and Mr. Rasheed Nasir. Survey Team included Mr. Irfan Ali, Ms. Shaista Kokab, Ms. Sidra Majeed and Ms. Sumia Bint Zaman. In D. I. Khan Mr. Noman Latif Collected Information. Team is highly indebted to all for their cooperation in conducting this survey.