Black truffle from the Melanosporum species is edging toward a notable scarcity as the season unfolds. Prices have surged, with reported values soaring to as much as 3000 euros per kilo, a level that has industry observers dubbing it the era of high-cost rarity.
According to reports from the Prensa Ibérica group, forecasts for the truffle sector were already tempered at the start of the campaign in November. The drought and persistent dry spells have further constrained cultivation regions, and interior areas of Castellón face conditions unlikely to improve before the season’s closure in mid-March.
Search engines and sellers alike acknowledge the central factor at play: an extreme deficit of water. This climate stress affects both wild populations and cultivated plots, underscoring a broader pattern of scarcity across the supply chain.
Diego Pitarch, a respected truffle expert who oversees plantation management and operates l’Arc butcher shop in Morella where truffles are sold, notes that the land prepared for cultivation is yielding far less than expected. Today, roughly 30 percent of typical production levels is being achieved, a stark departure from normal years.
The outlook for wild truffles is even more challenging. A researcher in Morella, José Luis Grau, observes that only a minimal amount might remain, and what little is there has been damaged by wildlife such as wild boars. He emphasizes that the season heavily depends on planting efforts and the availability of water.
Very dry mountains
Sergi Borràs, who tracks seasonal truffle trends from Cinctorres, echoes the concerns of fellow enthusiasts: the mountain terrain is exceedingly dry, and in recent outings, the ground proved too hard to penetrate with a machete. He notes the near-absence of wild specimens due to protracted drought.
Given this unfavorable context, industry insiders worry the season could end sooner than anticipated. With production running well below typical levels, the challenge of extending the season without adequate irrigation looms large, according to truffle expert Javier Segura.
Prices at the ceiling
During a recent week, Pitarch reported that retail prices for top-tier super extra truffle varieties had climbed to 3000 euros per kilo. In his Els Ports establishment, these peak figures were avoided out of respect for customers, with second-category products offered at around 1500 euros per kilo.
The price surge is tied to a wave of demand from the hospitality sector during the holiday season. As Segura explains, the difference between wholesale and retail markets becomes particularly pronounced in these periods, with scarcity driving a sharp price ascent. Wholesale truffle prices, fluctuating with supply conditions, typically fall within the 900 to 1000 euro per kilo range in current market conditions.
Overall, industry insiders emphasize that the combination of scarce harvests, delayed natural regrowth, and continued water shortages is reshaping pricing dynamics and market strategies across both wholesale channels and consumer-facing markets. The situation remains fluid, with observers watching weather patterns and planting cycles closely for signs of recovery or further tightening of supply.