European Black Truffles © trufflehunter.co.uk
Vagabondish is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Read our disclosure.
European truffle farmers (or “trufflers”) in Italy and France, are seeing their harvests reduced due to climate change. With a scarce supply of truffles, and marked up prices, the demand has spawned a black market in Europe, along with organized crime.
Truffles are being stolen from restaurant pantries and truffle farms, and then sold at markets out of the backs of cars or in back alleys. Trufflers are being car-jacked, beaten–even killed.
In addition to the criminal activity, trufflers are also concerned about the Chinese truffle (which is deemed worthless in the European market). Food importers and middle men are transporting the Chinese truffles into Europe, with some finding their way into local harvests.
A full video and transcript on this recent 60 Minutes segment can be viewed here.