How many mushrooms can be collected in the woods per day? The limits region by region

Every year, with the arrival of the autumn season, the moment that coincides with the mushroom harvest approaches, a tradition that involves thousands of enthusiasts in Italy. Unlike what many may think, harvesting is an activity regulated by precise rules, which establish harvesting limits based on quantity, species or variety.

The national reference is the law of 23 August 1993, n. 352, which only sets the national maximum limit at 3kg, delegating to the Regions the task of detailing specific limits for species or varieties. Among other things, it is forbidden to collect the good ovolo (Amanita caesarea) when it is still closed and, above all, it is forbidden to voluntarily destroy or damage inedible or poisonous mushrooms: these, in fact, also play an important function in the ecosystem. Let’s see below, region by region, what the daily threshold allowed per person is and in which cases exceptions are foreseen.

Aosta Valley

Regional law allows one kilo per day per person, a threshold that can only be exceeded when a single specimen alone weighs more than one kilo, as indicated by the Valle d’Aosta Forestry Corps.

Piedmont

In Piedmont the limit is a total of three kilos, based on regional law n.24 of 2007. With the exception of those who harvest on their own land: owners, usufructuaries and growers, together with their relatives and first-degree relatives, are exempt from both the weight limit and the obligation to have the right to harvest.

Liguria

Each person can collect a maximum of 3 kg of mushrooms per day. For the good egg (Amanita caesarea) there is a sub-limit of 1 kg within that ceiling, while for porcini mushrooms (Boletus reticulatus, edulis, aereus and pinophilus) and the other species there are no sub-limits: they can make up the entire permitted quantity. The exception is tacks (Armillaria mellea) remain out of the count.

Lombardy

Regional law sets the maximum daily collection limit at three kilos per person, except for the collection of specimens of Armillaria sppa genre for which no quantitative limits are set. The region explains that collection is free, except in areas where mountain communities or park authorities ask for a contribution.

Trentino-Alto Adige

Trento and Bolzano, although sharing the same region, follow different rules. In Trentino, each person over the age of 10 can collect up to 3 kg of mushrooms per day: children under 10 can pick if accompanied by a family member, without prejudice to the maximum limit allowed. In Alto Adige the general limit is 1 kg per day per person (aged 14 and over), with collection allowed only on even days of the month, from 7am to 7pm. For residents of the Municipality, the Provincial Council can authorize up to 2kg. Owners, usufructuaries and tenants can collect from their own funds without quantitative limits.

Veneto

Three kilos in total also in Veneto, with a ceiling of one kilo that regional law n.23 of 1996 reserves for the most valuable species, including porcini mushrooms, ovoli, chanterelles, poplars, blackthorns, morels and drumsticks.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Regional law allows three kilos as a daily limit per person, which can be overcome with a single specimen or a single head. To collect throughout the region, a mandatory authorization is required, plus an annual contribution of 60 euros.

Emilia-Romagna

Three kilos a day, of which no more than a total kilo of ovoli and blackthorns. The region reminds you that you need a card, issued by municipalities, unions and park authorities and which can be valid daily, weekly, monthly or half-yearly.

Tuscany

Regional provisions indicate that the limit is three kilos per person, which becomes ten for those who live in a mountain area and collect in their own municipality.

Umbria

In Umbria, a maximum of three kilos per day is indicated for mushroom harvesting, to be placed in containers of woven natural fibres, with the usual ban on closed mushrooms. An authorization is not required for residents, while those arriving from outside the region must obtain one.

Marche

In the Marche region each person can collect a maximum of three kilograms of mushrooms per day, four if authorized for sale. The limit can be exceeded only in the case of a single specimen or multiple co-grown and non-separable specimens. No roof for lignicolous fungi.

Lazio

From 2020, Lazio no longer requires a collection card. In order to collect, however, you need a certificate of attendance of a mycological training course and a receipt for the annual payment of the regional contribution. The ceiling of law n.32 of 1998 remains at three kilos and can be collected every day of the week.

Abruzzo

The regional law distinguishes between multiple authorizations. The ordinary one, type A, allows three kilos per day, the type B, reserved for some subsidized categories, reaches four, the type C, foreseen for residents in the municipalities affected by the collection, does not exceed 5 kilos.

Molise

In Molise the maximum harvest limit per day is three kilos, plus one carpophore, a mushroom in addition, according to regional law. The region indicates an annual contribution of 25 euros for residents, from which those over 65 are exempt.

Campania

Three kilos in total, of which no more than one is between eggs and blackthorns, is the rule of the regional law of 2007. Professional collectors can only reach ten kilos in mountain areas.

Puglia

In Puglia the regional law grants three kilos a day to the amateur collector, with a cost of 25 euros, and ten to the professional, who pays 50.

Basilicata

The regional law indicates a maximum of two kilos per day and ten for those who collect for work, of which no more than one of ovoli and blackthorns.

Calabria

According to regional law, collection is allowed within the maximum limit of three kilos per day, which however rises to five for residents of mountain municipalities and ten for those with a professional card.

Sicily

In Sicily it is four kilos a day with an amateur card and twelve with a professional one, based on regional law.

Sardinia

In Sardinia there is no regional limit so the national threshold established by Law 352/1993 is the reference point, i.e. three kilos per day per person.