Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Alba truffle fair opens amid low supplies and record prices
Alba’s 96th International White Truffle Fair opened in October and runs until 6 December.
The fair takes place in an area of northern Italy that includes Langhe, Roero and Monferrato.
White truffles need cool temperatures and rain to grow, but a very hot summer and three dry months reduced the early harvest.
White truffles are selling for about €5,000 a kilo, with some prices higher, while black truffles are also near record levels.
The shortage has not stopped visitors from coming, and accommodation in the area has been difficult to find.
The fair is important to the local economy: a study estimated its impact at more than €42 million in Cuneo province.
Organisers say they are also working on biodiversity, planting trees and protecting truffle woods, while hoping that rain will improve the harvest as the season continues.
The 96th Alba International White Truffle Fair opened to the public amid low supplies and record prices.
The white truffle was trading at about €5,000 per kilogram, with some prices reaching €550 per 100 grams.
A hot, dry summer and hard soil reduced the quantity, size and quality of early finds.
The fair runs until 6 December and draws visitors to the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato areas.
A study estimated the fair’s economic impact on Cuneo province at more than €42 million.
- Who
- The Alba International White Truffle Fair, its organisers, truffle hunters, traders and visitors.
- What
- The fair opened as truffle supplies fell and prices reached record levels.
- When
- It opened to the public on Saturday and runs until 6 December 2026. The opening ceremony was held on 9 October.
- Where
- Alba and the surrounding Langhe, Roero and Monferrato areas in Italy.
- Why
- Hot, dry weather and hard soil reduced the quantity, size and quality of early truffle finds.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The response to product scarcity cannot be only commercial: we need to work on the foundations, from education in schools to biodiversity, from research to planting new trees.
Truffles are few, not yet of excellent quality, but the appeal of this product is not diminishing; on the contrary.
The season has been difficult. At last the rain has come and we hope the situation improves as the season advances, but there have been very few storms.
A ceremony at the Teatro Sociale inaugurated the 96th Alba International White Truffle Fair.
The fair opened to the public.
The fair is scheduled to end.
- Fair edition
- 96th
- Fair dates
- Opened to the public on Saturday; runs until 6 December 2026
- White truffle price
- About €5,000 per kilogram; peaks of €550 per 100 grams
- Black truffle price
- €700–€1,000 per kilogram, with prices potentially nearing €1,500
- Estimated fair impact
- More than €42 million for Cuneo province
- Piedmont autumn supply chain
- About €250 million and 11,000 workers
Sources
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