“Today more than 80% of black truffle production comes from truffle farming. »
Although the areas planted with truffles increased significantly in France in the 19th century
century, soil degradation due to non-maintenance, the 2 great wars and above all
the rural exodus caused production to drop from 1,500 tonnes/year in the 1900s to around 50 t/year in the 1990s.2000. The production deficit in the face of significant demand contributes to maintaining prices at very high levels. According to a market study carried out in June 2011, French truffle production, which had stabilized at its lowest levels (35t/year) would begin a timid rise (50t/year) thanks to new mycorrhization and plantation techniques. . The production of 50 tonnes in recent years is far from covering national needs (estimated between 200 and 250 tonnes) and imports (20 tonnes) continue to increase (INRA sources).
The price of a truffle depends on its size, species and quality. Retailers and
intermediaries earn a comfortable margin, since the black Périgord truffle is sold
700 €/kg on the wholesale market, easily rises to 900 €/kg for restaurateurs and more
€2,000 for individuals.
This production is also very sensitive to climatic hazards, which reinforces the
price fluctuations (from 1 to 5 over the last decades). In 2002, the average price was
400€/kg to rise to 1200€/kg in 2003 and fall again to stabilize at 900€/kg
in 2004, almost €700 in 2011 and more than €900 during the 2017/2018 season.
Around twenty traders operate in France (plus around twenty canners). They
buy at wholesale agricultural markets. Their turnover is unknown. The production
was 50t in 2017 which would make a turnover of more than 35 million euros.
The Périgord black truffle or "black diamond" is the most sought after in France and elsewhere.
the foreigner.