The mushroom harvest has greatly benefited from the rainy and cool early summer. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Finnish and Estonian defence chiefs agree on new steps in regional cooperation
Mushroom foragers in Finland are reporting a strong and early harvest this year after persistent rainfall across much of the country’s south. While many have viewed the cool, wet start to summer as unfavourable, conditions have proved ideal for fungi.
According to Tuija Biskop, head of the Central and Southern Ostrobothnia Martha Organisation, the mushroom season began early and shows strong potential in several regions.
“So far the yield looks very good,” Biskop said. “At least in southern Finland, mushrooms are appearing earlier than usual. There have already been large quantities of chanterelles spotted.”
Chanterelles are typically among the first edible mushrooms to emerge in Finland each summer. This year, they are being found in abundance across the south. Biskop also reports high numbers of porcini and brittlegills, and sightings of slippery jacks — another common and edible species.
“There’s a chance that porcini may produce two harvests this year,” she added.
The positive start follows sustained rainfall across much of southern and central Finland in June and early July. Moisture is essential for mushroom development, and the current conditions have helped accelerate growth across a range of species.
However, Biskop cautions that the final outcome remains dependent on weather in the coming months.
“We’re not ready to call this an exceptional mushroom year yet. If there are long dry spells in late summer or early autumn, that could still affect the total harvest.”
According to Biskop, continued, evenly distributed rainfall is key to supporting a long and productive mushroom season into September and October.
Although the outlook is promising in the south, not all regions have benefited equally. Rainfall has been uneven across the country, and local variation is affecting mushroom growth. Drier conditions have been reported in parts of North Karelia, as well as in central and northern Lapland.
“Even within a single area, there can be significant differences in moisture levels,” Biskop said. “That’s why mushroom availability can vary a lot from one forest to the next.”
In recent years, climate conditions have played a growing role in determining the timing and strength of mushroom harvests in Finland. In contrast to dry summers, which often limit yields, this year’s rain has created conditions more favourable to early growth.
Mushroom foraging remains a popular tradition across Finland, with thousands of residents participating each year. Many forage for personal use, while others collect mushrooms for commercial sale in markets.
Despite the early start, experts say the full picture of the 2025 mushroom season will not be clear until late autumn. For now, foragers in the south are enjoying a rare combination of early abundance and good quality specimens.
HT
- Next Article Finnish and Estonian defence chiefs agree on new steps in regional cooperation
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
