Disappointed with the low prices for the cordyceps, the people from Lunana and Khamed Gewogs in Gasa sold only half of their harvest at the recent cordyceps auction in Wangdue Phodrang.
Out of 96 kilograms of cordyceps brought to the auction only 51 were sold, the rest were withdrawn from the auction.
“The highest price offered was Nu 2.2 M but that too for the selected stock. It is better not to sell if we are not able to get the price we expected,” Phurba, a cordycep collector from Gasa, said.
“Due to low price we had to withdraw our cordyceps from the auction despite paying the royalty,” Kaka, the Lunana Gup, said.
“We have a few Bhutanese exporters and this time they must have discussed among themselves not to bid high price.”
The cordycep collectors from Lunana and Khamed Gewogs reaped a bountiful harvest this season.
“We were expecting more than 500 kilograms of cordyceps from Lunana Gewog. But in last two days of auction the total transactions were 100 kilograms,” Dorji Dhradhul, the Gasa Dzongda,said.
“Since our production is more we should bring in more exporters. The Bhutanese exporters should also look for more buyers overseas. With more cash flow, purchasing power would increase and price might also increase.”
Meanwhile, the cordyceps collectors are hoping the next auction would offer better prices.
