REPORT ON CORDYCEPS AUCTIONING IN 2024
Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), also known as Yartsa Guenbub or the “summer-grass
winter-worm,” is a highly prized non-wood forest product with significant economic and medicinal
value. This unique fungus is renowned for its purported health benefits, including boosting energy,
enhancing athletic performance, and supporting immune function. This particular super mushroom
is found in the pristine highlands of seven districts of the country: Bumthang, Wangduephodrang,
Gasa, Paro, Thimphu, Lhuentse, and Tashi Yangtse. These regions, characterized by their high
altitudes and specific climatic conditions, provide the perfect environment for the growth of this
rare mushroom.
The annual harvesting of Cordyceps is a vital event for local communities in Bhutan, significantly
contributing to their livelihoods and the local economy. Due to its high market value and rising
global demand, Cordyceps has become one of Bhutan’s most valuable natural resources. As in the
previous years, the 2024 Cordyceps auctioning and marketing is coordinated and facilitated by the
Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC), with the support of the Bhutan
Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS), and
respective Gewog Administrations.
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