Wild mushroom demand rises in central Mexico during rainy season

The rainy season in central Mexico has triggered an increase in the availability and commercial demand for wild mushrooms. In the State of Mexico, particularly in markets like Toluca’s Mercado Juárez, sales peak between August and September. Prices for various species, such as 'setas' and 'pajaritos', range from 200 to 250 pesos per kilogram, depending on the difficulty of collection and daily supply.

In Mexico City, the season—often referred to as ‘Hongosto’—has prompted the Secretariat of the Environment (Sedema) to organize observation tours in natural areas like Ejido Magdalena Petlacalco in Tlalpan. These tours aim to educate the public on identifying the approximately 80 species found in the region, which include edible, toxic, and hallucinogenic varieties. Experts emphasize the importance of guided tours to avoid the dangers of misidentification, noting that local knowledge of species is often passed down through generations of ejidatarios.