A fungus that grows out of the head of dead caterpillars has evolved into a lucrative pursuit for farmers and others seeking riches in the Himalayas. This year the elusive medicinal mushroom, known as nature’s Viagra, is fetching record prices, and in some cases has led to armed clashes. VOA’s Steve Herman recently went to the Bhutanese capital of Thimpu to found out why.
To scientists the fungus that invades caterpillars’ bodies and kills its host is known as cordyceps sinensis.
The people of Bhutan refer to it as yarchagumba where it has long been a folk medicine. For buyers in China it is a remedy for everything from anemia to impotence. And it is rapidly becoming a popular herbal treatment in the United States and Europe.
Sellers showing up at Bhutan’s annual cordyceps auctions this month are finding very receptive buyers. The fungus is fetching a record price of nearly $9,000 a kilogram, an increase of 250 percent from last year. In the early 1990’s, it could be had for as little as $5 a kilo.
One of the buyers at the auctions, Bio Bhutan managing director Karma Yangzom, explains what traders believe is causing the most recent price surge.
“This year in the world market the supply has gone down, because the harvest was not good in China and Tibet,” she noted. “They were able to harvest a lot of cordyceps in Nepal but that was seized by the Maoist rebels which left only the Bhutanese cordyceps available in the world market.”
Even in the best of times collecting cordyceps is more art than science. Some farmers and herders abandon their crops and animals in Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet to crawl flat on the harsh terrain more than 4,000 meters above sea level, hoping to spot the fungus protruding from the soil.
Nepal banned collecting cordyceps until 2001. In Bhutan, a similar prohibition was in place until 2004 to protect the rare fungus. Now limited trade is permitted so farmers can supplement meager incomes.
With prices so high for the fungus, harvesters are willing to use violence to protect supplies. A human rights organization in Hong Kong reported that earlier this month, gunfights broke out among groups of ethnic Tibetans fighting over the right to harvest cordyceps in southwestern China.
Bhutanese exporter Karma Yangzom and other buyers, hoping to satisfy a swelling demand overseas, are not satisfied with what has been brought to this season’s auctions.
“Usually the price is very much based on the quality,” she added. “But this year in the auctions everything has become so crazy. In some cases, even the poor quality cordyceps is fetching very high prices because the competition is more, because the demand is high in the five auctions that we’ve attended not much has come into the auctions in terms of quantity. It has been very low, so everybody is competing for it.”
Officials here say some 700 kilograms is exported annually - about one-third of Bhutan’s estimated potential yield. But many of those hardy enough to brave the climate to search for it come up empty-handed. The lucky ones make it to the auctions, some clutching as little as a few precious grams. But even that now brings enough to provide several months of food and other necessities for a typical rural Himalayan family.
Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-07-21-voa10.cfm
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10 Responses to 'cordyceps sinensis, yarchagumba fetches High Price in Bhutan'
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[…] Sellers showing up at Bhutan’s annual cordyceps auctions this month are finding very receptive buyers. The fungus is fetching a record price of nearly $9000 a kilogram, an increase of 250 percent from last year. In the early 1990’s, … …more […]
Dear All, Business Man and women and ledies and gentalman.
Since long time Cordiceps sinensis ( Yartsagumba ) was smogling and their farmer has nothing for Charity such as food and cloth also village town develomment.
From This year international Herabal Compant direct has link to YCL ( Maoist) For development for village by YCL and Maioist Party thorough.
The International Herbal Comapny allready 110 million Hong Kong Dallar send to buy Yartsagumba in Nepal. 2007 and 15 Milion HK $ going to be Donation for Carity in Dolpa, Rukum, Darchula, Mugu, Humla as well.
for Food profram, Mini Hospital, Rice Deppo and other roead development,
the tibet people has given Name Yratsagumba from Tibet Orgin even though Not from Nepal but infact Top grade is from nepal.
Every year YCL going to handal this project has direct Link with Internation Herbal Company, Their are not to be any interlink, if though link the international herbal Company will not take their products.
Thank you
director
Mr, Erick Chan
Hong KOng , China Nepal Business Forum
Dear all,
I am very glad to see you news about Cordyceps sinensis ( Yartsagumba )
This product is very famus and healthyer.
Since Business man only they have been doing won profitable and not for farmmer.
This year International policies is great fro Charity program to direct farmer development,
Thank you
Healthy Life Charity Trust ( Hong Kong )
cordinator
Hey Mr Eric Chan,
This is Josh Shakya, i am actually from nepal, but live in The United States right now. IS there anyway that you can contact me. email: psakya@gmail.com
Wanted to talk with you in regards with the Yarchagumba.
Thank You
Dear friends,
since this product is in high demand,Tere must be a contol prcing for the product.and real farmers who bring the prodcut must get real benefit from yhis product
A.shaik saibuddin
Herbal product trader from India
919952084024
Dear All,
Since this product is in high demand,there must be a control pricing for the product,and real farmers who bring the product must get real benefit from this product
Dear All,
All of us must think,Since this product is in high demand,there must be a control pricing for the product,and real farmers who bring the product must get real benefit from this product.so the price control must be there in order to keep the product avilable at resonable rate
A.shaik saibuddin
Herbal product trader from India
919952084024
Dear All
I request you to all stakeholders to share fact and figures about the himalayan viagra rather than wipeout. I am doing research about the cordyceps of Nepal. Please mail …….. pravat_change@yahoo.com
Friends
I am from Nepal and i have a good stock of yarcha gumba. Anyone interested can email me in naveen245@hotmail.com
Thanks
hi all business men. if some one take yarsagumba from mustang . mail me. we have a lot of kilo yarsagumba and highquality from mountain.please mail me in(bishalsherchan@hotmail.com)is my mail adress.