Truffles sales top SR1m in Saudi hub

Cairo: The sales of seasonal truffles surpassed SR1 million in just nine days in the Northern Borders, a Saudi region famous for growing the edible fungus.

The market in the Northern Borders saw over the past nine days a high turnout of customers whose numbers exceeded 19,000 of different age groups, the Saudi news agency SPA reported, citing figures from the regional Chamber of Commerce.

The large number of visitors reflected the economic importance of the product, a major natural resource in the Northern Borders, SPA commented.

The region is known for the abundance of truffles of different types, which grow after the rainy season, benefiting from the favourable soil and climate there.

Truffles are usually in high demand in Saudi Arabia following rainfall. They are nicknamed the “daughter of thunder” because they grow after heavy rains.

Collection of truffles is a favourite hobby for picnickers in the kingdom. Truffle hunting seasonally gets underway in January in rain-hit sites mainly in the Northern Borders and H’ail in north-western Saudi Arabia.

Hunters have to be attentive and careful while searching for the ripe fungus to ensure its pieces will not be ruined during harvesting.

Prized as a desert delicacy, several types of truffles are available at the Saudi market.

The fungus market traditionally experiences a brisk business in several regions in the kingdom, mainly in the Northern Borders.

Truffles retail for SR250 to SR600 per kg, depending on the size and type.