Locals present morel mushrooms to consumers through the livestreaming platform at the morel mushroom cultivation base in Xiaopu town, Huzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

The onset of warmer weather in Xiaopu town, Changxing county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, signals the start of the morel mushroom season, with the first harvest reaching market shelves.

At the morel mushroom cultivation base in the town, fresh morel mushrooms grow like delicate umbrellas across the damp field ridges, releasing a fragrant mushroom scent.

Priced between 5 and 10 yuan (69 cents to $1.38) each, the morel mushroom is affectionately known as "soft gold". With a high demand due to their rich nutritional content, morel mushrooms present a profitable opportunity for local farmers, fetching prices of up to 140 yuan per kilogram.

However, due to the high requirements of morel mushrooms for soil, air, temperature, and humidity, they are considered more "delicate" compared to other fungi. Since morel mushrooms are susceptible to high temperatures, the base conducts harvesting work without delay.

Additionally, the base has formed a livestreaming team to attract more consumer attention and broaden sales channels.

The base has been cultivating morel mushrooms since 2023, with daily output reaching 250 to 300 kg and the output value exceeding 200,000 yuan in a planting season.

Zhu Fang, head of the base, mentioned plans to further refine cultivation methods and explore crop rotation strategies for sustained productivity and economic growth in the region.