Making Life Healthy
Considering purchasing yarsagumba in Nepal or curious about this legendary “Himalayan Gold”? Understanding current yarsagumba prices helps you navigate this complex market and make informed decisions whether you’re buying for medicinal use, investment, or export. This rare fungus, scientifically known as Ophiocordyceps sinensis, commands some of the highest prices in the natural medicine world.
Yarsagumba prices in Nepal currently range from NPR 2 to 3 million per kilogram in local markets, making it literally more valuable than gold by weight. Individual pieces sell for NPR 500 to 1,000 each, with approximately 3,000 pieces needed to make one kilogram. These extraordinary यार्सागुम्बा price in Nepal reflect the fungus’s rarity, difficult harvesting conditions, and intense international demand—particularly from Chinese markets where it’s prized in traditional medicine.
The caterpillar fungus grows exclusively at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 meters in the Himalayan region, found in remote alpine meadows across Nepal’s mountain districts. Collection happens in a brief window between May and June, just before the monsoon arrives, when tens of thousands of collectors swarm to high-altitude pastures in a modern-day “gold rush.”
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about yarsagumba pricing in Nepal—from current market rates and quality factors to where to buy, how to identify authentic products, and what drives these remarkable prices.
Understanding piece-by-piece pricing is essential, as most initial transactions happen at this level during harvest season:
2025 Collection Season Rates:
Recent reports indicate collectors receive no more than NPR 1,000 per piece, with quality and size determining final prices. Size, color, and condition dramatically affect value—larger, intact specimens with unblemished fruiting bodies command premium rates.
Historical Price Comparison:
Local traders typically procure yarsagumba from villagers at NPR 1.8 million per kilogram, then sell to Chinese buyers in Kathmandu for NPR 2.8 million per kilogram.
Kathmandu Wholesale Market Rates:
Regional Collection Point Prices:
These prices represent what traders pay at collection sites. Transportation to Kathmandu, cleaning, sorting, and export documentation add significant costs, explaining price differences between collection areas and final markets.
In international markets, particularly Chinese and East Asian centers, premium-quality yarsagumba fetches between $20,000 and $50,000 per kilogram.
Global Market Pricing (2025):
The extreme price differential between Nepali collection sites (NPR 1.8 million = ~$13,500) and international retail markets reflects multiple intermediaries, export regulations, quality certification, and positioning as a luxury health product.
To put these prices in perspective: Gold currently trades around NPR 150,000-160,000 per tola (11.66 grams) in Nepal, or approximately NPR 1.3-1.4 million per kilogram. Premium yarsagumba at NPR 2.5-3.0 million per kilogram is literally twice the price of gold by weight.
Quality determines everything in yarsagumba pricing. Expert buyers evaluate multiple characteristics:
Premium Grade Characteristics (NPR 2.5-3.0 million/kg):
Standard Grade (NPR 2.0-2.5 million/kg):
Commercial Grade (NPR 1.6-2.0 million/kg):
Color proves critical: fresh yarsagumba displays golden-yellow to light brown coloring. Dark brown or blackened specimens indicate age, poor storage, or harvest past prime condition—significantly reducing value.
Yarsagumba harvesting occurs before monsoon season, between May and June, when tens of thousands of collectors swarm Himalayan foothills in several districts. This brief 6-8 week window creates intense seasonal price patterns.
Peak Season (Early to Mid-May):
Late Season (Late May-June):
Off-Season (July-April):
Timing purchases strategically around harvest season can yield significant savings, though buyers must balance price against quality considerations.
Chinese buyers are key players in the market, with over 90% of Nepal’s yarsagumba ending up in Chinese traditional medicine markets. Chinese demand fundamentally drives pricing.
Impact of China-Nepal Border Status:
When the Nepal-China border reopened in 2023 after pandemic closures, yarsagumba prices immediately surged to multi-year highs of NPR 2.8 million per kilogram. This demonstrates Chinese market dependency.
Chinese buyers typically arrive in Kathmandu in late May through July, examining harvests and making bulk purchases. Their arrival timing and purchasing decisions can swing prices 30-50% within days.
Reduced rainfall, human encroachment, deforestation, and climate change are all impacting yields, with botanists noting concerning production declines.
Climate Impact on Prices:
Collectors report finding significantly fewer specimens than previous years. Where pickers once collected 25-30 pieces per season, many now find only 3-7 pieces. This scarcity drives long-term price increases.
Overharvesting compounds climate concerns. Some areas have seen collector numbers triple, while fungus yields decline, creating unsustainable pressure on wild populations.
Nepal regulates yarsagumba collection and trade through permit systems and export fees:
Collection Permits:
Export Regulations:
These fees add to final costs, contributing to price structures at all market levels.
Kathmandu serves as Nepal’s yarsagumba trading hub, where collectors, traders, and international buyers converge.
Asan Bazaar Traditional Market:
Indrachowk Herbal Medicine Area:
Kalimati and New Baneshwor Wholesale Zones:
Important: Always verify seller credentials. Request harvest location certificates, and examine product carefully before purchasing. Reputable sellers allow thorough inspection.
Purchasing directly from collection areas can save 20-40% compared to Kathmandu prices, but requires more effort and local connections.
Major Collection Districts:
Dolpa District:
Mugu District:
Manang District:
Humla District:
Purchase Strategy for Direct Buying:
E-commerce options remain limited for yarsagumba due to regulatory concerns and high value.
Specialized Herbal Medicine Websites:
Physical Retail Shops:
Capsule and Processed Forms:
Learning to evaluate yarsagumba quality protects against fraud and ensures value for money.
Size and Proportion:
Color Indicators:
Physical Integrity:
Cleanliness:
Physical examination reveals quality details not visible in photographs.
Texture Test:
Smell Assessment:
The extremely high value creates strong incentives for fraud. Be aware of common authentication issues:
Common Fraud Methods:
Verification Strategies:
Red Flags:
2020: NPR 800,000-1.2 million per kg
2021: NPR 900,000-1.4 million per kg
2022: NPR 1.0-1.6 million per kg
2023: NPR 2.0-2.8 million per kg
2024-2025: NPR 1.8-3.0 million per kg
Long-Term Price Trajectory:
Quality Premium Expansion:
Several factors suggest continued high prices with possible increases:
Upward Price Pressures:
Potential Price Stabilizers:
Most analysts expect yarsagumba to maintain current high-price levels (NPR 2-3 million/kg) with gradual increases of 5-10% annually, punctuated by volatile swings based on harvest conditions and border politics.
In traditional medicine systems, yarsagumba is used to treat fatigue and respiratory problems, considered an immune-boosting and anti-aging supplement. Traditional practitioners prescribe it for:
While traditional use is extensive, scientific research on Ophiocordyceps sinensis continues. Some studies suggest potential benefits related to cellular energy production, but buyers should:
Recommended dosage varies, but traditional guidelines suggest:
Individual collectors can earn between NPR 200,000 and 400,000 per season from yarsagumba harvesting—often more than annual income from other sources.
Household Economic Impact:
In some rural municipalities, revenue from permit fees alone exceeds NPR 6-7 million annually, providing crucial local government funding.
The harvest season sees entire families, including women and children, migrate to high-altitude pastures for over two months. Schools close, villages empty, and communities restructure around this economic opportunity.
Collection Challenges:
The income potential justifies risks for many families with limited economic alternatives in remote mountain regions.
Yarsagumba yields have decreased dramatically, with the number of collectors increasing threefold while fungus production declines. This unsustainable trajectory threatens both the species and dependent communities.
Conservation Challenges:
Some districts and conservation areas have implemented:
These efforts show promise but require consistent implementation and community support to succeed long-term.
Scientists and entrepreneurs worldwide research yarsagumba cultivation methods, hoping to:
Current cultivation efforts produce related Cordyceps species but not authentic Ophiocordyceps sinensis with identical properties. True artificial cultivation remains elusive, supporting continued high prices for wild-harvested specimens.
Yarsagumba currently costs NPR 2 to 3 million per kilogram in Nepal’s wholesale markets, with individual pieces selling for NPR 500-1,000 each depending on size and quality. Premium specimens command the highest prices, while commercial grades sell at the lower end of this range.
Yarsagumba’s extreme pricing reflects multiple factors: rarity (grows only in specific high-altitude Himalayan conditions), difficult and dangerous harvesting, brief collection season, intense international demand (especially from China), labor-intensive gathering process, and increasing scarcity due to climate change and overharvesting. Supply is extremely limited as it can only be harvested for a very short time in specific high-altitude regions.
Kathmandu’s Asan Bazaar and Indrachowk area host established herbal medicine dealers selling yarsagumba. Purchase only from licensed vendors who provide documentation and allow thorough quality inspection. Expect to pay NPR 2.2-3.0 million per kilogram. For small quantities, reputable Ayurvedic shops offer better options than wholesale markets.
Authentic yarsagumba displays golden-yellow to light brown caterpillar body (3-5 cm) with dark brown to black fruiting stalk (1-4 cm) emerging from the head. Specimens should be firm but slightly flexible, with clearly visible ring segments. Look for earthy mushroom smell—never chemical or moldy odors. Purchase from established dealers who provide harvest certificates, and be wary of unusually low prices.
Both refer to Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the same species. “Yarsagumba” is the Nepali/Tibetan name, while “Dong chong xia cao” is Chinese. Nepali yarsagumba grows in Nepal’s Himalayan regions, while Chinese Cordyceps comes from Tibetan plateau and other Chinese high-altitude areas. Quality and potency depend on specific growing conditions, harvest timing, and handling—not origin country alone.
Yes, but export requires proper documentation, quality certificates, and payment of government royalties (NPR 20,000-51,000 per kg depending on classification). Work with licensed export dealers who handle regulatory requirements. Individual travelers face restrictions on quantities allowed for personal use. Check current regulations with Nepal’s Department of Forests before attempting export.
Store in airtight containers in cool, dark, dry locations. Optimal temperature: 10-20°C with low humidity. Avoid direct sunlight, moisture, and heat. Properly stored yarsagumba maintains quality for 12-24 months. Check periodically for signs of moisture damage or mold. For large quantities, consider professional storage facilities or refrigeration.
Worth depends on purpose. For traditional medicine users who value its historical use, cultural significance, and potential health benefits, the price may be justified despite limited scientific validation. As an investment, yarsagumba’s scarcity and rising demand suggest value retention, but extreme volatility and regulatory risks create uncertainty. For casual experimentation, consider less expensive Cordyceps alternatives first.
Yarsagumba represents one of the world’s most extraordinary natural products—a rare fungus-insect combination commanding prices exceeding gold, supporting entire mountain economies, and embodying centuries of traditional medical knowledge. Current prices of NPR 2-3 million per kilogram reflect genuine scarcity, difficult harvesting conditions, and intense international demand.
Whether you’re considering purchase for medicinal use, investment, or simply fascinated by this Himalayan treasure, understanding pricing factors, quality assessment, and market dynamics helps you navigate this complex landscape. Always prioritize authenticity verification, purchase from reputable sources, and support sustainable harvesting practices that protect this remarkable resource for future generations.
The future of yarsagumba remains uncertain—balancing economic necessity for mountain communities against conservation imperatives, traditional medicine applications against scientific validation, and sustainable management against market pressures. These tensions will shape pricing, availability, and the role of this “Himalayan Gold” in Nepal’s economy and culture for years to come.