With the beginning of the "hot" mushroom season, Bulgarian buyers of these gifts of nature began to report a clear shortage of mushroom pickers. According to them, the problem is especially acute in the Rhodopes. Namely, in the areas of the settlements of Smolyan, Dospat, Borino, Shiroka Laka. According to them, you can get a lot of money – 100 – 150 BGN. per person for an incomplete day of walking in the forest. The earnings of an experienced hardworking mushroom picker can be many times higher, wholesalers say. There are cases of, when mushroom pickers who attacked the "mushroom vein" (in the Rila National Park) brought home 400 BGN for several days in a row. each.

Wholesalers today buy mainly white mushrooms – for 8-9 BGN. a kilogram and a chanterelle – for BGN 3.50. kilogram. Prices vary. There were years when they gave 14-15 BGN for a white mushroom. (then, probably, there were more people who wanted to pick mushrooms – ed.). There are many foreigners among the buyers. Mainly Europeans who have established sales channels for Bulgarian mushrooms in Western Europe. This business is profitable, because the price for 1 kg of fresh porcini mushrooms in Germany can reach 30 euros. Processed at small enterprises, such as in the village of Kraishte, where 60 people work, Bulgarian mushrooms are also sent to Italy, Switzerland, Austria and France.

The main reasons for the shortage of labor are most often cited as a sharp decrease in the rural population, as well as the availability of more profitable offers, both in Bulgaria and outside the country. Traditionally active in the Bulgarian regions, Roma today prefer to pick blueberries, experts say.

In the Bulgarian forest, according to local mushroom pickers, there are two main dangers – bears and the possibility of getting lost. Clubfoot rarely attack, but they come into the field of view of people very often. Therefore, before Go mushroom hunting, you should very carefully read the rules of conduct when meeting this animal. It also happens that in pursuit of a large catch, mushroom pickers get lost in the forest and, if they are lucky, they find their way back only the next day. As a rule, they are frightened and cold. Therefore, if you go mushroom picking, it will be extremely important to control the time and route.

We will be grateful if in the comments you share your own experience of making money on mushrooms or berries in Bulgaria or just your impressions of the pleasure received from the process.

With the help of the MC "Window to Bulgaria" you can traditionally comfortably get to mushroom places and even to stay there to live legally.

Useful links:

manatarka.org – mushroom catalog in Bulgaria

gabarstvo.com – another catalog

gubi.start.bg – all about mushrooms (Bulgarian)

gabarstvo.com – Mushroom pickers' website

youtube.com – porcini mushrooms, video report of a mushroom picker

facebook.com/LechebniteGabiBulgaria – Medicinal mushrooms of Bulgaria

Please check the rules for picking mushrooms with the local Community.

Based on materials: www.24chasa.bg

MC "Window to Bulgaria"
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