17.07.2026 17:02
Erzurum Regional Forest Directorate, within the scope of inventory and planning studies conducted with specially trained dogs, scanned 112,000 hectares of land in Erzurum and Erzincan and identified approximately 22 tons of truffle presence underground.
Erzurum Regional Directorate of Forestry conducted a study to inventory truffles, which grow 5 to 20 centimeters below the soil and are richer in protein and mineral content compared to other species.
Natural areas where this mushroom, known as 'black diamond' due to its strong aroma and varying price of 100 to 750 euros per kilogram based on quality, grows were explored using truffle hunters and specially trained dogs. The study identified approximately 3.5 tons of truffles in an area of about 20,000 hectares around Horasan, İspir, and Aşkale in Erzurum; 6 tons in about 30,000 hectares in Çayırlı, Kemah, Tercan, and Üzümlü districts of Erzincan; and 12.5 tons in an area of 62,000 hectares within the Refahiye Forest Management Directorate.
TRUFFLE FORESTS ESTABLISHED
Artificial truffle forests were also established in the region by the Erzurum Regional Directorate of Forestry. In the Aşkale district of Erzurum, 1,050 truffle-inoculated mycorrhizal oak saplings were planted. In the Refahiye district of Erzincan, 550 saplings were planted, and in the Üzümlü district, another 550, totaling 1,100 truffle-inoculated mycorrhizal oak saplings were put into the soil.
Erzurum Regional Director of Forestry Serkan Karakurt stated that truffles, which grow 5 to 20 centimeters below the soil, have come to prominence in the last 10 years. Karakurt said that compared to other mushrooms, truffles are richer in protein and mineral content. Expressing that truffles are a very expensive type of mushroom due to their strong aroma and high economic value, Karakurt reported that in Turkey, the price per kilogram of naturally growing truffles varies between 100 and 750 euros depending on the variety and quality.
30 MILLION LIRA CONTRIBUTED TO THE ECONOMY
Karakurt explained that truffles growing underground are found by specially trained dogs and people known as 'truffle hunters', and noted that sales since 2024 have contributed approximately 30 million lira to the national economy. Karakurt also stated that they produce truffles by inoculating the roots of oak trees with naturally growing truffle mushrooms, and said: "Within the management area of the Erzurum Regional Directorate of Forestry, an 'artificial truffle forest' has been established for the first time. In the Cephanelik afforestation area in the Aşkale district of Erzurum, we planted 1,050 truffle-inoculated mycorrhizal oak saplings in a 2-hectare area. Additionally, we planted 550 saplings in a 1-hectare area in the Damlaca village of the Refahiye district of Erzincan, and 550 saplings in a 1-hectare area in the Ocakbaşı village of the Üzümlü district, totaling 1,100 truffle-inoculated mycorrhizal oak saplings in a 2-hectare area. Thus, in addition to natural habitats, we have contributed to the artificial cultivation of truffles and their introduction into the economy."