Matsutake Price 2026: What Pine Mushrooms Really Cost This Fall
Every fall, someone asks us the same thing: how much are matsutake mushrooms this year? It's a fair question. Matsutake have a reputation as one of the most expensive mushrooms on earth, and in Japan a single perfect one can cost more than a dinner out.
I'm Emily, and my family has over 25 years of combined experience picking BC pine mushrooms. Here's our take on the matsutake price in 2026, from people who pick, sort and ship them every season. The short answer: what you pay depends on where the mushroom grew, how intact it is, and how fresh it is when it reaches you.
Matsutake price: Japan vs BC
Japan sets the world price for matsutake, because that's where demand is highest. Japanese-grown mushrooms sell for several times what wild BC pine mushrooms cost, even though they're close cousins with the same spicy, piney aroma.
Approximate price per pound, fall 2026 (USD)
Same family of mushroom, very different price tags
Japanese prices converted from yen at roughly ¥150 to the US dollar, based on typical Japanese market prices of ¥100,000 to ¥150,000 per kilo. Our range depends on the size you order.
And then there are the headline-grabbers. Every year, Japan holds ceremonial first auctions where buyers pay huge sums for good luck. In 2025, just eight mushrooms sold for ¥850,000 at the opening sale in Tambasasayama.
What our matsutake cost this season
We sell our gift-grade BC pine mushrooms in four sizes. The bigger the box, the less you pay per pound.
220 g
$56.21
A first taste for two
1 lb
$83.18
Enough for a matsutake dinner
2 lb
$160.51
$80.26 per lb
5 lb · Best value
$398.59
$79.72 per lb
You'll find cheaper pine mushrooms out there. What you're paying for with ours is the sorting and the speed. Every mushroom is graded by hand for a closed cap and a firm stem, and we pack and ship as soon as they come in from the woods. A matsutake's aroma fades a little every day it sits in a cooler, so freshness is the difference you can actually smell.
This season in the BC woods
Every pine mushroom season has its own personality. 2026 has been a busy one.
Washington and Oregon had a big crop this year, so there are more North American pine mushrooms on the market than usual. Up north, the season started slowly and the first flush came in wormy, as it often does, before the patches picked up. Then in early October, storms grounded cargo flights out of northern BC for days, and a lot of mushrooms across the region sat waiting for a ride.
Seasons like this one are a good reminder of why we do things the way we do. With matsutake, it isn't enough for a mushroom to be wild and beautiful. It has to reach you while it still smells like the forest.
Matsutake season at a glance
BC picks from mid-September to mid-November
Why are matsutake so expensive?
Three things keep the matsutake price high, wherever they grow.
You can't farm them
Matsutake only grow wild, tangled up with the roots of mature trees. Nobody has managed to cultivate them.
The weather decides
They fruit once a year and need steady rain as nights cool. A hot, dry fall can cut the crop in half.
Japan can't get enough
In Japan, matsutake mean autumn and make a classic gift. Its own harvest is now under 1,000 tonnes a year, so it buys from around the world.
Matsutake grades: why two mushrooms from the same patch cost so differently
The tighter the cap, the higher the price. Grade is about how intact the mushroom is, not how it tastes, which is why lower grades can be a real find for home cooks.
How to buy matsutake online
Buying a luxury mushroom you can't see or smell first can feel like a gamble. Here's what we'd look for if we were in your shoes.
- Compare by weight. A low price is often just a small pack, so work out the price per pound.
- Ask about grade. Gift grade should mean closed or barely opened caps, sorted by hand.
- Ask when they were picked. Fresh matsutake taste best within a few days of picking.
- Know what you're getting. BC pine mushrooms are wild matsutake. Be wary of seasonings, broths or farmed look-alikes sold under the same name.
- Buy in the heart of the season. In BC, late September through October gives you the best quality.
Fresh BC matsutake, picked this week
Hand-sorted gift grade, delivered to your door across Canada and the USA.
Shop matsutakeHow to store and cook matsutake
You're paying for that aroma, so treat it gently and keep the cooking simple.
Storing: Keep them in a paper bag in the fridge, never sealed in plastic. Clean them just before cooking with a brush or a paring knife, not under the tap.
The Matsutake filled [our] house with its delicate but profound scent. My spouse is Japanese and we enjoyed a feast of Matsutake in many forms: Matsutake Gohan (rice), grilled Matsutake, Matsutake soup and tempura Matsutake.
Gary, Pacific Wild Pick customer · ★★★★★
Cooking: A few of our favourite ways to enjoy them:
- Grilled. Slice thick, grill, and finish with flaky salt and a squeeze of citrus. If you only try one, try this.
- Matsutake rice (matsutake gohan). Cook sliced mushrooms with rice, dashi and a splash of soy. Your kitchen will smell like a pine forest.
- Dobin mushi. Steam slices in dashi in a small teapot with shrimp or chicken, a Japanese autumn classic.
- In clear soup. Add thin slices to hot broth right at the end.
Matsutake FAQ
Tap a question to see the answer.
How much are matsutake mushrooms in 2026?
Our gift-grade BC matsutake run from $56.21 for 220 g to $398.59 for 5 lb, or about $80 to $116 per pound depending on size. Japanese-grown matsutake typically cost several times that.
Why are matsutake mushrooms so expensive?
They can't be farmed, they fruit only once a year, and the weather swings their supply. Strong demand in Japan, where they're a treasured autumn gift, keeps prices high.
Are BC pine mushrooms real matsutake?
Yes. The BC pine mushroom (Tricholoma magnivelare) is a close relative of Japan's Tricholoma matsutake, with the same spicy, piney aroma. Japan imports both.
When is matsutake season in Canada?
In British Columbia, the season runs from about mid-September to mid-November and peaks in October.
Where can I buy matsutake in Canada?
Some specialty grocers carry them in season, but the freshest option is buying from BC foragers who ship fast. We deliver fresh BC matsutake across Canada and the USA.
Do you ship matsutake to the USA?
Yes. We ship our fresh BC matsutake to customers across both Canada and the United States.
Can you eat matsutake raw?
High-grade matsutake can be eaten raw in small amounts, but most people cook them lightly to bring out the aroma.
What's the most affordable way to try matsutake?
Start with our 220 g size. It's enough for a pot of matsutake rice or a couple of grilled mushrooms for two.
Written by Emily
Emily runs Pacific Wild Pick, a family business in British Columbia. Together, her family has over 25 years of combined experience picking wild pine mushrooms, and they hand-sort every box before it ships.