Harvest and trade of wild edible russula griseocarnosa in North Vietnam

This study examines the harvest and trade of wild edible Russula griseocarnosa in north Vietnam. Russula griseocarnosa is an edible forest mushroom, but there is no reliable information on harvesting practices and trade in this species in Vietnam. This study aims to provide ethnomycological and marketing knowledge for this mushroom. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mushroom collectors and traders over 2 years; harvest yields were obtained from local officials; and policy settings were sought from forest managers. About 85% of mushroom collectors were women of the Dao, Lo Ursula, Muong, Nung, Mong, San Chi, San Diu, and Tay ethnicities. The collecting season was bimodal, with the wet season beginning (May) and ending (September). The traders were Hoa, Kinh, Nung and Tay, and 57% were women. Fresh mushrooms sold for 9.1-10.5 US/kgondrydaysand7.0−7.9US/kg on wet days. The best grade of dried product fetched 70.4-83.3 US$/kg. A number of interim policies have been established to encourage local people to protect forests and to help create a sustainable edible wild mushroom market. Our study provides the first detailed account of the role of edible wild mushrooms in northeast Vietnam, and this will inform the co-development of rural livelihood and sustainable forest management plans. Contribution/Originality: Russula griseocarnosa is a nutritious and popular wild edible mushroom in southern China and northern Vietnam. However, there is no information on harvesting and trade of this wild edible mushroom in Vietnam. The research gap filled by this paper will assist in developing the market chain and mushroom product opportunities of Russula griseocarnosa in Vietnam.

DOI: 10.55493/5005.v14i4.5205