The auction price for top-grade Yangyang Songyi (pine mushrooms) in Gangwon Province has surpassed 1.71 million won per kilogram, breaking all-time records.

According to the National Federation of Forestry Cooperatives on October 5, the auction price for top-grade Yangyang Songyi was set at 1,711,700 won per kilogram the previous day.

The previous record high was 1,623,700 won per kilogram recorded on September 30.

During the auction in Yangyang on this day, a total of 38.79 kilograms were traded, recording a total auction value of 22,634,953 won.

By grade, 0.35 kilograms of top-grade mushrooms were traded at 1,711,700 won per kilogram.

Second-grade mushrooms amounted to 0.31 kilograms at 1,411,700 won per kilogram, and growth-stopped mushrooms amounted to 1.52 kilograms at 1,051,700 won per kilogram.

Open-grade mushrooms totaled 6.63 kilograms at 867,700 won per kilogram, and off-grade mushrooms totaled 29.98 kilograms at 475,210 won per kilogram.

Yangyang pine mushrooms usually command high prices ahead of Chuseok, when gift demand is high.

However, high prices have continued even after Chuseok this year.

Industry insiders attribute the high price levels to a decrease in production caused by recent hot and dry weather, combined with steady demand persisting even after the holiday.

Yangyang pine mushrooms have low moisture content and firm bodies, offering a deep and rich aroma.

Because they can only be harvested during a specific period, they are highly rare and expensive.

In 2006, they were registered as Korea's Forest Product Geographical Indication No. 1 by the Korea Forest Service.

Meanwhile, the 2026 Yangyang Songyi and Salmon Festival is scheduled to be held from October 16 to 18.

(Photo: Yonhap News)