The truffle-growing business is expanding in Canberra with local growers planning to establish the region as a truffle capital.

The area around Canberra has been described as one of the best for growing the black French fungi because of the climate mix and abundant host trees.

Lana Mitchell, coordinator of the Canberra and Capital Region Truffle Festival, said truffles grown in the ACT region were drawing global attention.

"We get some fantastic truffles from this region and it has a lot to do with our cold winters and our hot summers," she said.

"There's a lot of export which occurs from this region out to Europe, the United States and Asia as well.

"Last year we produced around 350 kilos, and this year we will be up on that."

Good quality Australian truffles can sell at a top price of $2,500 a kilogram and are popular for gourmet cooking.

Demand increases for distinctive smelling Canberra truffles

Grower Sherry McArdle-English says interest in locally grown truffles has tripled in recent years.

Grower Sherry McArdle-English and her trained truffle dog Snuff make a find on her farm. ( ABC News: Siobhan Heanue )

"I'm finding a big demand not only from the top restaurants in Canberra but also from the local people that are learning about it," she said.

"They have perhaps been afraid to try it because it is a more expensive product, but very keen to know what it is and what makes it so uniquely different and a gourmet food."

International sales are increasing because Australian truffles are available when European growers are not harvesting.

Asia is acknowledged as an emerging market, mainly Japan, which has the largest number of truffles consumers in the world.

Braidwood grower Kate Marshall says the sales are a boon for the local economy.

"Being counter-seasonal means we can export our truffles into Europe and Asia, so that lifts the profile of Australian truffles and our region's truffles," she said.

"I think there's just massive potential all around the world, from anywhere that enjoys fine food.

"And we've had wonderful feedback from sales to France that Australia truffles are very high quality."

Festival 'snowballing' in size, scope and diversity

Ms Mitchell said 30 local farms were now producing the pungent fungi on tree roots.

The eight-week truffle festival, which has just begun, includes cooking and grower displays.

"This festival is snowballing in size, in scope and diversity," she said.

"Two years ago we had 22 participating venues, last year it was 44, and this year we are up over 65."

Ms Mitchell said she hoped the festival would become a major drawcard, like Canberra's spring flower festival Floriade, for interstate visitors.

"We're hoping to become the winter Floriade for Canberra and we certainly have the potential to do that," she said.