This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = cmd_00261(GDF v2.1.1, ? attributes, 29 sections).Renderer:
commodity_profile_rendererv1.0.0. Source row version:knowledge_forge_gdf_v2.1.1_tier2_cmd_00261.
Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Morel Mushroom |
| Scientific name | Morchella esculenta |
| Family / Genus | Morchellaceae / — |
| Produce category | Mushroom |
| Produce subcategory | Wild Mushroom |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| AGROVOC URI | c_4890 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 5.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Morel (Morchella esculenta complex) | 45% | Highly prized, large, conical to oval cap, yellowish-brown to tan, deeply pitted and ridged. Hollow stem. Meaty texture, nutty, earthy flavor. Found in disturbed ground, old orchards, and near certain |
| Black Morel (Morchella elata complex) | 40% | Highly prized, conical cap, dark brown to black ridges with lighter pits. Hollow stem. Earthy, robust flavor. Often found in coniferous forests, especially abundant in burn sites the year after a fore |
| Blonde Morel (Morchella esculenta variant) | 8% | A lighter-colored variant of the Yellow Morel, with caps ranging from very pale yellow to almost white. Shares similar flavor and texture characteristics with the standard Yellow Morel, often commandi |
| Half-Free Morel (Morchella semilibera complex) | 7% | Distinguished by its cap being attached to the stem only about halfway up, leaving a significant portion of the cap margin free. Generally smaller and less meaty than true morels, with a milder flavor |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 30.5°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 5 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Sensitivity class | very_low |
| Sensitivity threshold | null ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Morels are non-climacteric and do not ripen post-harvest. Ethylene exposure is not a primary concern for ripening but can contribute to senescence or off-flavor absorption.
Mixed-load compatibility
Sensitive to strong odors and ethylene producers
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? No
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Strongly increasing, driven by culinary trends and gourmet market.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.3 |
| Income elasticity | 1.5 |
| Organic premium elasticity | 0 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Yellow Morels (Morchella esculenta complex) | 60% |
| Black Morels (Morchella elata complex) | 35% |
| Half-free Morels (Morchella semilibera complex) | 5% |
Pack sizes
- 1 lb
- 3 lb
- 5 lb
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T23:50:00.000Z.