Drought leaves German forests empty of mushrooms, but autumn rains could bring late flush
Persistent dryness and heat have left summer porcini and other fungi absent from forests nationwide, with only a small enclave in Saxony still yielding finds, according to mushroom expert Steffen Schmidt.
A barren summer for mushroom hunters
Across Germany, the forest floor is unusually empty. Summer porcini (Sommersteinpilze), red-capped scaber stalks (Rotkappen), and field mushrooms (Wiesenchampignons) would normally be in season from July onward, but persistent drought and high temperatures have left mushroom baskets empty. The three species are among the most sought-after by German foragers, making their absence particularly felt. The dryness is a problem almost nationwide, with only the Erzgebirge region in Saxony serving as a small enclave where mushrooms can still be found, according to Steffen Schmidt, a mushroom expert who runs a mushroom school in Vogtland. For the vast majority of hobby pickers, the summer of 2026 has been a write-off so far.
Expert: 'Presumptuous to say there are mushrooms'
Schmidt did not mince words about the current prospects.
To say 'there are mushrooms' would be presumptuous.
He explained that the heat is as damaging as the lack of rain.
When a mushroom pushes out of the ground, it's already dried up the next day.
The pattern of rainfall has also shifted, Schmidt noted. Instead of the widespread, steady rains of the past, precipitation now comes in small, localized bursts.
In the past we had widespread rain, now it's all small limited rain areas.
This means a mushroom hunter might find a patch in one spot while just a few kilometers away there is nothing. The expert's assessment reflects how fragile the fungal ecosystem has become under the current weather regime.
A glimmer of hope for autumn
The season is not over yet. Schmidt stressed that suitable weather in August, September, and October could still deliver full baskets for another three months. The key, he said, is a specific amount of rain.
You need 50 liters of rain per square meter for something to happen in the forest floor. Fourteen days after such a rain, it starts.
Schmidt's rule of thumb is widely cited among mushroom enthusiasts. If those conditions arrive, mushroom fans could still salvage the year. The expert's optimism is tempered by the reality that such widespread, soaking rains have become less common in recent years, making the autumn outcome uncertain.
Advice for foragers
The food control authority of the Mittelsachsen district issued reminders for anyone heading into the woods. The most important rule: only pick specimens you can identify with certainty. Mushrooms should always be carried in an airy basket, never in plastic bags. While guidebooks and apps can help with identification, the greatest safety comes from consulting an experienced mushroom advisor. The German Mycological Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mykologie) maintains an online contact list of experts across the country, offering a free resource for uncertain collectors. The society's list includes certified experts who can verify finds in person or via photo. With the current scarcity, the authority's warning is timely: desperate foragers might be tempted to take risks with unfamiliar fungi.
