0. Executive Summary
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Judgment axis

Key judgment

Item IdentitySong-i is a Tricholoma matsutake (S. Ito & S. Imai) singer and is identified as MycoBank No. 307044. ( Mycobank )
Key roleAs a naturally occurring edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom found in pine forests, it is supplied to high-end gift, dining-out, regional specialty, and export markets based on its rarity, aroma, and quality. Nongsaroo classifies the pine mushroom as a representative ectomycorrhizal mushroom. ( Nongsaroo )
Production principlesRather than general cultivation, the production dataset is viewed as forest–host pine–mushroom mycelium–soil–climate–fruiting body development–harvesting.
Harvesting principleOrigin, harvester, harvesting area, harvesting date, cap breakage, stem length, weight, aroma, damage, freshness, and grade are managed by Lot.
Product separationIt is separated into Fresh Whole → Grade-based Fresh → Gift Pack → Foodservice → Frozen/Dried/Sliced, etc.
Separation of similar itemsBe sure to distinguish the species and country of origin from Matsutake imitations, such as North American T. magnivelare. ( Mycobank )
natural productionThe Korea Forest Service describes pine mushrooms as a naturally harvested forest product for which stable commercial artificial cultivation has not yet been established. ( Eng-Nifos )
Occurrence conditionsThe Korea Forest Service's 2025 forecast presented an average soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm dropping below 19℃ for approximately 13 to 16 days , along with cumulative precipitation of 500 to 600 mm from August to October, as key reference conditions for occurrence. These are managed as ecological reference values ​​for crop forecasting. ( Eng-Nifos )
Production periodAccording to data from the Korea Forest Service, auction volume after mid-September accounted for more than 70% of the total over the past three years. ( Republic of Korea Policy Briefing )
Recent trial volumeThe Korea Forest Service presented the auction volume of pine mushrooms by forestry cooperatives as 124 tons in 2020, 108 tons in 2021, 67 tons in 2022, 165 tons in 2023, and 78 tons in 2024. These are auction volumes and do not correspond to the total national harvest volume. ( Eng-Nifos )
Supply riskClimate change, soil temperature and precipitation, wildfires, damage to pine forests, fungal ring decline, harvesting workforce, quality by source, and natural variability are key factors. ( Eng-Nifos )
Experimental productionThe National Institute of Forest Science confirmed the occurrence of pine mushrooms for eight consecutive years from 2017 to 2024 in test forests of infected seedlings. It is managed as Experimental Production, distinct from commercial cultivation. ( Eng-Nifos )
Operating PrinciplesConnect Forest Site–Pine Host–Mycorrhizal Zone–Climate–Occurrence–Harvest Lot–Grade–Buyer RFQ.
Final goalIt is to enhance supply forecasting and buyer procurement stability by accumulating natural uncertainties through forest, weather, harvesting, quality, and transaction data.

The production logic of pine mushrooms differs from that of oyster mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms, which grow independently on dead organic matter or substrates. The Rural Development Administration describes pine mushrooms as a representative obligate symbiotic mushroom that lives in symbiosis with living trees , summarizing that tissue culture and growth are difficult for such mushrooms, and artificial cultivation is often difficult or impossible. ( Nongsaroo )

1. Plant Identity & Product Master

Basic fields

detail

Korean nameMatsutake Mushroom / Matsutake
English nameMatsutake / Pine Mushroom
Representative scientific nameTricholoma matsutake (S. Ito & S. Imai) Singer
BasionymArmillaria matsutake S. Ito & S. Imai
classificationFungi → Basidiomycota → Agaricomycetes → Agaricales → Tricholomataceae → Tricholoma
Fungal Name DBMycoBank No.307044 ( Mycobank )
Edible partsfruiting body
Non-edible · Separate managementMycelium, mycorrhiza, soil, infected seedling, mycelial ring, host pine
Ecological typeEctomycorrhizal active symbiotic organisms
host relationshipIn Korea, pine forests are the core production ecosystem
Major production stagesFormation of pine forest/mycorrhiza → Maintenance of mycorrhizae ring → Weather conditions → Development of primordia/fruiting bodies → Harvesting
Major harvesting stagesCap condition (unopened, partially open, open, etc.), size, stem, Buyer Grade
Basic product formFresh Whole·Grade Fresh·Gift Pack·Bulk Foodservice·Frozen·Dried·Sliced
Basic processing stageSorting → Selection → Grading → Refrigerated Packaging or Freezing/Drying/Cutting
Basic useLuxury gifts · Korean food · Japanese food · Hotels · Dining out · Local specialties · Exports
Similarity PrincipleYou must distinguish between North American and European Matsutake species and species/origin.

MycoBank links Armillaria matsutake as a basionym of Tricholoma matsutake. Past names are not deleted but preserved as Historical Taxonomy. ( Mycobank )

Product Master

Product

Product stage

Key Management Standards

Matsutake Forest Siteproduction baseForest ownership, location, pine forest, management history
Pine Host StandhostTree species, age, density, and health
Mycorrhizal SiteMycorrhizal glandsMycorrhizae, mycorrhizal rings, soil conditions
Shiro/Fairy-ring ZoneGyunhwanSpatial scope and occurrence history
Experimental Infected SeedlingsResearch materialsInfected seedlings, strains, planting date
Occurrence LotOccurrence LotArea · Date of Discovery · Number of Individuals
Harvest LotCollection LotCollector, Date, Area
Closed-cap MatsutakeUnopened fresh pine mushroomsCap condition, bag, weight
Partial-open MatsutakePartial openingDifference, orientation, and appearance
Open-cap MatsutakeOpen clusterCap diameter, scent, and uses
Premium Grade Freshluxury goodsShape, tears, damage, freshness
Standard FreshGeneral goodsWeight, Shape, Grade
Off-grade FreshSubstandardDamage, splitting, shape
Gift PackGift setGrade · Country of Origin · Weight · Packaging
Foodservice BulkFor dining outGrade, Weight, Delivery Time
Fresh Sliced ​​Matsutakecut partsCutting history · Refrigeration
Frozen MatsutakefreezingRaw Material Grade · Freezing History
Dried MatsutakedryFinal moisture, scent, color
Matsutake PowderpowderParent Lot · Grain Size
OEM Regional Productlocal productsPine Mushroom Content · Formula
Import Matsutake Lotimported goodsSpecies · Country of Origin · Quarantine
Experimental Cultivation LotResearch and productionInfected cat, year of occurrence, affected individuals
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation

Classification criteria

Subdivision type

Management principles

SpeciesTricholoma matsutakePrimary Entity
Historical TaxonomyArmillaria matsutakeAlias
Similar SpeciesT. magnivelare et al.Separate Species · Country of Origin
Ecological typeWild EctomycorrhizalSeparation from cultivated mushrooms
production baseNatural Pine Mushroom Mountain / Experimental Siteseparation
hostPine StandHost Entity
Occurrence stageUnderground/Mycorrhiza → Primordium → Fruit BodyRuntime
Harvesting stageUncut · Partial cut · CutProduct Grade
mountainous districtActual production areas such as Gangwon and GyeongbukOrigin required
Transaction typeDirect sales from producers, public auctions, wholesale, B2BChannel separation
Distribution methodsFresh · Chilled · Frozen · DriedProduct Separation
Final useGift·Retail·Hotel·Restaurant·ExportApplication
Transaction ratingAuction grades by forestry cooperative and mountain areaRule Version Management
3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest

step

Essential Dataset

Management purpose

Mushroom Mountain RegistrationForest Site · Ownership · Areaproduction base
Pine forest surveyTree species, age, density, and healthHost Condition
Soil surveySoil layer, moisture, organic matter, temperatureHabitat
Fungal cycle investigationLocation, Area, and Occurrence HistoryMycorrhizal Runtime
Forest managementUnderstory vegetation, leaf litter, light environmentHabitat Management
Wildfire RiskPast wildfires and damaged areasSupply Risk
risingTemperature, Precipitation, DroughtOccurrence Forecast
Zeon5cm and other observed valuesFruiting Prediction
Soil moistureChanges after rainfallFruiting
Investigation of occurrenceDate of first occurrence · Number of individualsSupply Forecast
Extraction planArea · Collector · Work DayTraceability
CollectionObject·Time·LocationHarvest Lot
1st JeongseonMinimizing soil and foreign matter removalQuality
Collection at the production siteTime, Weight, OriginLogistics
trialGrade, Procurement Volume, and Successful BidMarket
SelectionCap splitting, size, shape, damageGrade
Pre-coolingIf necessaryFreshness
cold storageTemperature and timeShelf-life
packagingOrigin, Grade, WeightRetail
Gift setGrade compositionPremium
cuttingFoodservice and ProcessingProcessing
freezingRaw Grade · FrozenFrozen
dryTemperature, Time, ScentDried
shipmentBuyer · Quantity · TimingDelivery
inventoryFresh/FrozenSupply
ClaimFreshness, Aroma, and OriginQuality Feedback
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management

Quality items

Fresh pine mushrooms

Gift·Premium

Freeze-drying

processed goods

Public rating

SpeciesessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingPublic/Verified
Country of originessentialessentialsuccessiontrackingPublic
Domestic production areasessentialessentialsuccessiontrackingVerified
Forest SiteessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified/NDA
CollectoressentialsuccessiontrackingtrackingVerified/NDA
Harvest LotessentialessentialsuccessionsuccessionVerified
Collection dateessentialessentialsuccessionsuccessionVerified
God's lineagecorecoreRaw material inheritanceRaw material inheritanceVerified
Cap diametercorecoreRaw material characteristicsBy productVerified
Sack lengthcorecoreRaw material characteristicsBy productVerified
Bag thicknessGradeGradeRaw material characteristicsBy productVerified
Total weightcorecoreRaw material weightBy productVerified
formcorecoreRaw material characteristicsBy productVerified
incensecorecoreEvaluation after processingBy productVerified/NDA
hardnesscorecoreEvaluation after processingBy productVerified
Surface conditionSoil, dryness, damagePremium CoreRaw material inspectionVerified
Insects and pestscheckseverityRaw material inspectiontestVerified
breakGradeseverityRaw material inspectionVerified
alien substancecheckcheckcorecoreVerified
FreshnesscorecoreBefore freezingBy productVerified
microorganismIf necessaryIf necessaryProcessed product inspectionConformity to standardsVerified/NDA
pesticide residuesReview of Natural Characteristics and Legal StandardsWhen an examination is necessaryRaw material inheritanceConformity to standardsVerified/NDA
heavy metalsRisk-basedtesttesttestVerified/NDA
Pre-cooling and refrigerationcorecoreBefore freezingtrackingNDA
Freezing and drying historyessentialsuccessionNDA
packagingessentialPremiumessentialessentialVerified
ShipmentessentialessentialessentialessentialVerified
Returns and ClaimsrecordrecordrecordrecordNDA
RepurchaseBuyer ConnectionBuyer ConnectionBuyer ConnectionBuyer ConnectionNDA

The RFQ grade for pine mushrooms is not completely fixed based solely on appearance. Since detailed criteria such as size, cap opening, stem length, and damage status may vary depending on the local auction and buyer, they are managed using a structure of Grade Standard ID + Market/Association + Effective Date.


Lot Master Required Field

Lot ID · Item/Product Type · Scientific Name · Commodity Name · Country of Origin · Domestic Origin/Forest Area · Forest Site ID · Host Pine Forest · Collector/Producer Organization · Date/Time of Collection · Occurrence Area · Cap Opening Degree · Cap Diameter · Stem Length/Thickness · Individual Weight/Gross Weight · Shape/Color · Aroma/Hardness · Insect/Damage/Breakdown/Foreign Matter Check · Grade/Grade Standard ID · Time of Collection from Origin · Auction Market/Auction Date · Pre-cooling/Refrigeration History · Raw Material Lot · Cutting/Freezing/Drying History · Packaging Date · Shipper · Buyer · Returns/Claims · Repurchase

5. Korea Market & Demand Structure

Customers

Purchase criteria

Cooperation opportunities

Forest owners and forestersGeneration volume and extraction rightsForest RFQ
Forestry CooperativeOrigin, Grade, AuctionAuction Data
Local distributorsSame-day collection and gradingProcurement
Wholesale distributionGrade · Quantity · PriceWholesale
department storePremium Grade · OriginGift
high-end food storeFreshness, Origin, PackagingRetail
hotelSize, aroma, and freshnessPremium Foodservice
Korean and Japanese restaurantsOpening date, direction, delivery dateRestaurant
luxury gift marketGrade 1 · Origin · PackagingGift Set
Online distributionOrigin · Same-day deliveryD2C
local specialtiesOrigin Brand·StoryRegional PB
processing companySubstandard items/cut itemsProcessing
Refrigeration companyFresh Grade · FrozenFrozen
importerSpecies · Country of Origin · QuarantineImport
exportersDomestic · Grade · FreshnessExport
Research InstituteMycorrhizae, mycorrhizal rings, infected seedlings, ecologyR&D
Forest management agencySongi Mountain environmental improvement and restorationForest Management
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence

step

Key variables

Operational judgment

Songi MountainForest, Host, and Fungal RingSupply Base
Crop forecastGround temperature, precipitation, and wildfiresForecast
Natural occurrencePeriod, Area, PopulationAvailable Supply
CollectionManpower, Rights, and TimeHarvest
Collection at the production siteDaily weight and freshnessAggregation
trialGrade · Quantity · Winning BidPrice Discovery
WholesaleOrigin, Grade, PriceDistribution
Futures marketPremium GradeHigh Value
dining outScent, Size, Delivery TimeFoodservice
refrigerated logisticsTime and temperatureFreshness
importSpecies · Origin · GradeSupply Supplement
exportFresh·Country·GradePremium Trade
processFrozen/DriedInventory Extension
RFQOrigin · Grade · Quantity · PeriodProcurement
RepurchaseOrigin Quality · Delivery Time · FlavorSupplier Score

Trade Dataset

item

v1.0 processing

Fresh Matsutake HSFuture verification of the Korea Customs Service's current HS-K
Frozen Matsutake HSFrozen classification verification
Dried Matsutake HSVerification of dried mushroom detailed codes
Prepared Matsutake HSVerification by dispensing method
Korea's import volumeInput after official verification of raw data
Korea's export volumeInput after official verification of raw data
Korean import valueInput after official verification of raw data
Korea's export valueInput after official verification of raw data
Major importing countriesCountry-specific HS·Species verification
Major exporting countriesVerification of HS raw data by country
Customs clearance unit priceCalculated only within the same HS, Grade, and condition
SpeciesSeparation of T. matsutake vs. pseudo-matsutake
QuarantineVerification by fresh mushrooms, soil attachment, and product condition
FTACheck Country, HS, and Origin Criteria
Certificate of originPremium Transaction Key Points
refrigerated logisticsHarvest-to-Buyer time required
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence

Products and processes

Key conditions

RFQ conversion

Premium Closed-Cap FreshOrigin, Unopened, Aspect, FormGift RFQ
Partially open FreshOrigin, Scent, SizeRestaurant
Open-cap FreshScent and cap conditionFoodservice
Standard FreshGeneral gradeRetail
Off-grade FreshDamage/SplitProcessing
Premium Gift SetGrade · Weight · OriginDepartment Store
Restaurant BulkSize · Delivery TimeHotel/Restaurant
Fresh SliceCutting and refrigerationFoodservice
Frozen WholeRaw Material Grade · Quick FreezingOff-season Supply
Frozen SliceCutting and freezingHMR
Dried MatsutakeFragrance and moistureIngredient
Matsutake PowderParent Lot · Grain SizeSeasoning
Matsutake ExtractExtraction conditions · Raw materialsFood Ingredient
Regional PB FoodPine mushroom content · OriginOEM/PB
Broken/Off-gradeFood safety complianceProcessing conversion
Soil/Forest By-productNot applicablePrioritize maintaining forest ecosystems

Unlike conventionally cultivated mushrooms, pine mushrooms do not generate spent substrate. The primary loss reduction strategy involves converting substandard or damaged fresh products into processed goods, rather than utilizing by-products.

Expressions regarding food, health functional ingredients, and medicinal materials are used only within the scope where official food or legal grounds have been confirmed. Although various expressions of traditional efficacy exist in forest information data, these are not directly used as medical or health efficacy claims on MarketHub. ( Forest Info )

PRP — Product Research Profile

Songi PRP operates with the following structure.

Forest Ecology → Species → Host Pine → Mycorrhiza/Shiro → Climate → Fruiting → Harvest Grade → Aroma/Freshness → Buyer Application → RFQ Performance

PRP

Key research questions

Species PRPIs it confirmed whether it is a real T. matsutake or a similar Matsutake Species?
Forest PRPUnder which forest, host, and soil conditions does it occur repeatedly?
Shiro PRPHow do the location, area, and activity of fungal rings change?
Climate PRPHow do soil temperature, precipitation, and drought affect the timing and quantity of occurrence?
Fire Risk PRPWhat is the impact of wildfires on mountain supply capacity?
Harvest PRPHow does the time of collection affect the degree of perforation, aroma, and grade?
Origin PRPWhat are the differences in quality, auction, and buyer evaluations by production region?
Freshness PRPHow Harvest-to-Cooling Time Affects Quality
Grade PRPWhat is the relationship between the cap, handle, weight, damage, and market price?
Export PRPAre the Species, Grade, Packaging, and Shelf-life suitable for each destination country?
Processing PRPIs there potential for freezing, drying, and powdering of substandard mushrooms?
Experimental Cultivation PRPIs the commercial viability of infected seedlings–bacterial survival–occurrence–repetitive production ensured?
8. AX Transformation

first of all

Execution item

Performance indicators

1Forest Site · Harvest Lot required valuesOrigin tracking rate
2Species · Origin VerificationIdentity Verification Rate
3Songisan GIS RegistrationSite Coverage
4Remote sensing of pine forest healthHost Condition Index
5Wildfire Damage GIS ConnectionFire Risk Coverage
6Geothermal sensor connectionSoil-temp Coverage
7Precipitation and soil moisture linkageMoisture Coverage
8Date of occurrence and number of individuals mobile recordsOccurrence Data Rate
9AI Crop ForecastOccurrence Forecast Accuracy
10Create mobile lot in extraction areaHarvest Traceability
11Video AI Classification · Size GradeGrade Accuracy
12Scent and Quality Sensor ResearchAroma QC
13Harvest-to-Cooling measurementCooling Lead Time
14Proceedings/Price RuntimeMarket Signal
15Supply forecast by production areaSupply Forecast
16Verification of Imported/Domestic Species/OriginOrigin Verification
17Buyer–Grade AI MatchRFQ → Contract Rate
18Repurchase → Origin Evaluation LinkRepeat Order Rate
19Infected Cat Test Forest Long-term RuntimeMulti-year Fruiting Rate
9. Industry Problem Bank

Problem group

Problem Definition

Required data

Mixing of Species and product namesUsing the same product name as overseas MatsutakeTaxonomy
Natural uncertaintyIt is difficult for farmers to control production volumeOccurrence
climate changeChanges in timing and quantityClimate
Geothermal changeChanges in appropriate occurrence conditionsSoil Temperature
droughtSoil moisture deficiencyRainfall/Moisture
torrential rainDisturbance of the occurrence environmentRainfall
forest firesLoss of pine mushroom mountains and pine forestsFire GIS
Decline of pine forestsHost-based reductionForest Health
Balance declinedecline in productivity at the place of originShiro Mapping
Changes in understory vegetationChanges in light and soil environmentVegetation
Decrease in extraction personnelAging population and labor burden in mountainous areasLabor
unauthorized collectionOwnership and Lot Tracking IssuesAccess Right
Mixed mountain areasMixed pine mushrooms from different regionsOrigin
Mixed in imported productsCountry of Origin Trust RiskImport/Traceability
Grade discrepancyDifference between origin and buyer standardsGrade Standard
Sharp price fluctuationsImpact of natural production and holiday demandAuction Price
Extra-trial transactionDifficulty in determining actual total supplyChannel Data
freshness lossQuality degradation after harvestingCold Chain
Scent lossStorage and time effectsAroma
Insects · DamageDecline in product valueVisual QC
Export Shelf-lifeLong-distance distribution riskLogistics
Natural counterfeitReliance issues on variety and originSpecies/Origin Test
Commercial cultivation not establishedLimitations of supply stabilizationR&D
Prolonged research cycleInfected cat → Occurrence 8~15 yearsExperimental Dataset
Repurchase not reflectedBuyer evaluations unlinked to origin and grade improvementEvaluation
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model

RFQ Type

Public Registration

Verify/NDA

Selling wild pine mushroomsOrigin · Season · Expected GradeCollector, actual quantity, price
Buying wild pine mushroomsGrade · Origin · PeriodTarget Quantity · Actual Unit Price
Premium Grade PurchaseSeries and StandardsLot · Price
Gift SetOrigin · Grade · CompositionPack · Price · Buyer
Regular supplySeason · Grade RangeWeekly volume and price
Forestry Cooperative SupplyPublic auction market/regionTrial Lot
Hotels and RestaurantsSize, Scent, Delivery TimeWeekly demand
Department Stores · GiftsPremium GradeContract terms
online salesOrigin · Harvested on the same dayStock and Delivery
frozen ingredientsRaw Material GradeYield and price
dried raw materialsOrigin/Raw Materialdrying yield
OEM·PBprocessed pine mushroomsFormula·MOQ
local specialtiesRegion/OriginRaw material ratio
importSpecies · Country · GradeQuantity, Unit Price, Quarantine
exportDomestic · GradeDestination, Quantity, Unit Price
Songi Mountain ManagementForests, Area, Occurrence HistoryLand and extraction rights
Crop Forecast PilotMountains and sensorsInternal raw data
Research on infected catsTest Forest · Technical ObjectivesStrain and experimental data
Wildfire damage restorationMountainous areas and damaged zonesProject costs and demonstration
Research cooperationMycorrhizae, microbial communities, and climateResearch Contracts · IP
11. RFQ Request First

① Need Products & Materials

Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching

Register


② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)

Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and Private Label manufacturers.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching

Register


③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)

Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching

Register

 

Contact : mail@markethub.org

Version History

Version

Main contents

situation

v1.0T. matsutake Identity · Forest Symbiosis · Natural Occurrence · Forest Site · Weather · Harvest · Public Trial · Premium Product · Infected Seedling Research · RFQ Basic Structure Registrationcomplete
v1.1Verification of official raw data for 2024 Forest Products Production Survey: Pine Mushroom Production Volume, Production Value, Data by City/County, Auction Grade, HS Code, and Import/Exportexpected
v2.0Forest Site·Shiro·Climate·Occurrence·Harvest Grade·Aroma·Cold-chain·Gift/Frozen/Dried PRP segmentationexpected
v3.0Forest Owners/Harvesting Organizations – Forestry Cooperatives – Mountain Area Distribution – Processing – Hotels/Department Stores/Food Service/Import/Export Buyer Verified Container Combinationexpected