"Up to 1.56 Million Won per 1kg"... 'Yangyang Songi' Hits Record High Ahead of Chuseok

Yangyang Songi Popular as a Fragrant Holiday Gift
Grade 1 Songi Auction Price Up 140,000 Won Compared to 10 Days Ago

The price of Yangyang Songi from Gangwon-do, known nationwide for its top quality, has reached a record high ahead of Chuseok.

Yangyang Songi. [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the Yangyang Sokcho Forestry Cooperative on the 21st, a total of 95.41 kg of Songi mushrooms were purchased at the mountain collection Songi auction held that day. By grade, the quantities purchased were ▲ Grade 1: 8.85 kg ▲ Grade 2: 7.6 kg ▲ Grade 3: 8.62 kg ▲ Grade 4: 29.86 kg ▲ Non-grade: 40.48 kg.

Looking at the winning bid prices by grade, Grade 1 Songi recorded the highest price of the year at 1,562,000 KRW per kilogram. This is about 462,000 KRW higher than the first auction held just 10 days earlier on the 11th. It is also higher than last year’s highest winning bid price of 1,423,800 KRW.

Grade 2 Songi was sold at 980,000 KRW per kilogram, while Grades 3 and 4 were sold at 759,910 KRW and 667,991 KRW respectively. Non-grade Songi was priced at 342,200 KRW.

The reason Yangyang Songi is highly valued is because the mushrooms have low moisture content and a firm body, resulting in a deep and rich aroma that distinguishes them from Songi from other regions. In 2006, Yangyang Songi was registered as the first geographic indication forest product by the Korea Forest Service.

However, despite its excellence, production volume is insufficient, and as the Chuseok holiday approaches, more people are seeking Songi as gifts, causing prices to continue soaring.

Meanwhile, from October 4 to 8, the Yangyang Songi Festival, a representative festival of Yangyang County, will be held at Namdaecheon Dunchi and the multipurpose plaza. Unlike previous years, this year it will be held in conjunction with the Salmon Festival, offering various performances and experiential programs.