Czechs gathered 20 tonnes of mushrooms this year, but 2025 turned out to be a weak season

In 2025, residents of Czechia headed into the forest an average of 33 times, and the mushroom harvest they brought back is estimated at 20,100 tonnes, worth a total of 4.43 billion crowns. These figures come from the Czech Ministry of Agriculture, based on a survey processed by the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences.

Agriculture Minister Martin Šebestyán noted that year after year, surveys consistently show that Czechs love visiting the forest and happily spend their free time there, confirming a long-standing tradition of using the woods both for relaxation and for foraging.

Fewer trips than in record years

Impressive as the figure is, it actually marks a decline compared to recent years: in 2024, each resident made 44 trips to the forest on average, while 2023 set the record with 47 visits per person. Still, last year's number remains above the long-term average of 24 visits per person.

According to the survey, in 2025 65% of Czechs visited the forest at least once a month, 21% went roughly once a week, and 14% ventured out several times a week. A quarter of respondents said they only went once or twice a year, and nearly one in ten didn't go at all. Residents of the Liberec, South Bohemian and Plzeň regions were the most frequent forest-goers in search of mushrooms and berries, while the largest overall harvest was collected in the Central Bohemian Region — largely thanks to Praguers.

How many mushrooms made it home

Last year, 66% of households went mushroom-picking (down slightly from 68% the year before). Mushrooms remain the most popular forest product, outpacing blueberries, raspberries and blackberries in terms of quantity gathered. On average, a "mushroom-picking" family brought home 6.2 kilograms over the year.

In terms of total volume, the 2025 season came in below average: the previous year, Czechs gathered 21,300 tonnes of mushrooms, while the long-term average since 1994 stands at 22,300 tonnes annually. The monetary value of the 2025 harvest was 4.43 billion crowns — half a billion less than the year before, but still noticeably above the long-term average of nearly 3 billion crowns.

Drought spoiled the season

Hot, dry weather this summer has not been kind to mushroom growth. According to mycologist Jan Borovička of the Czech Mycological Society, mushrooms are barely growing at all and are unlikely to appear in any significant numbers before the end of summer at the earliest. "This year it's a real disaster, one of the worst seasons we've seen," he said. He added that a weak fruiting wave is now coming to an end, during which mushrooms only appeared in a few spots that received heavier rainfall — such as the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) or the Giant Mountains foothills (Podkrkonoší).

Photography enthusiasts, however, have had better luck: after summer thunderstorms, some have reported spotting rare heat-loving mushrooms from the so-called "colourful boletes" group, including the inedible Satan's bolete, known for its pinkish-red hue — a strikingly beautiful but inedible species that's a favourite subject for photographers.

You can track the current mushroom situation on the website of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, which features a map showing the probability of fleshy mycorrhizal mushrooms appearing — the type most sought after by foragers. In the second half of August, chances of finding mushrooms remain low across most of the country, although some areas saw more noticeable rainfall earlier in the week. Right now, the highest probability is in the northern part of the Olomouc Region.

Why mushroom-picking is so easy in Czechia

Beyond tradition, Czechs are also drawn to the forest by remarkably relaxed foraging rules: unlike many other European countries, Czechia imposes no limits on the weight or quantity of mushrooms one can pick — for personal use, you can gather essentially as much as you like, including in privately owned forests.

That said, the law prohibits picking protected species, entering fenced-off areas or active logging zones, and it also regulates the sale of foraged mushrooms. According to the Financial Administration, anyone selling mushrooms must hold a valid mushroom-knowledge certificate, and if selling for business purposes, a trade license as well. Selling forest produce requires the forest owner's consent and must comply with fair trading rules — issuing receipts, stating correct prices, and observing sanitary standards.

Read also: Insurance for extending your residence permit in Czechia: a complete 2026 guide

Source: denik.cz