the essential
The truffle growers of the association now called Black Truffle from the South of the Lot (formerly the Lalbenque Truffle Growers' Union) occupy a stand every Wednesday and Saturday on the Cahors market. Truffles are sold easily and quite expensively.
It's the good season for truffle growers. In Cahors, since last year, the market has also been putting truffles in the spotlight. The producers of the southern Lot black truffle association, chaired by Didier Brigoulet (formerly the Lalbenque truffle growers' union), hold a stand on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the town market. An operation renewed this year since Saturday December 7. Between poultry, wines and cheeses, twice a week, 5 to 6 producers offer their black truffles. “We take the opportunity to popularize it, that’s also our role. We spend a lot of time explaining the product to curious people… And we find pleasure in it,” says Alain Ambialet, of the new association and former president of the union. truffle growers. The producers of his association have not renewed their sales operation at the Hôtel d'Aquitaine, in southern Cahors, like last year.
Under the marquee marked Black Truffle, the first market offered 3 kg. Since then, the stock has varied between 3 and 5 kg. “But we fell into a slack period, a consequence of the rainy weather in November with fewer quantities and a quality that deteriorated a little. We observed rot in particular due to excess water,” remarks Alain Ambialet.
Reserved truffles
“We sort a lot, we have imposed fairly strict specifications on ourselves. Our controller is present on the markets,” he also wants to point out. The price per kilo is similar to last year at the same period, that is to say between 800 and 1,000 euros per kilo. Not given…
“Prices are quite high with a tendency to increase because there is a lack of truffles,” admits the truffle producer. Despite everything, all the truffles offered for sale since the start of the market have already sold out. Some customers have even reserved truffles for the end of year celebrations. The stand could well last until February, as long as there is truffle. In any case, the regulations allow producers to sell until the end of March. Regarding the weather and therefore the rest of the season, Alain Ambialet remains optimistic. “The dry cold is good. Now it has to last, but without the frost which could be fatal to the truffle. When the mushroom freezes, since it contains water, it tends to burst”, he warns.
