Avondale, PA – Domestic mushroom production and value reached all-time highs last year, according to a recently issued US Department of Agriculture report. The value of domestic mushroom production jumped by 10 percent from last year’s level, with production increasing by six percent. The 953 million pound crop in 2014-2015 broke the previous year’s record value by $112 million.
“This confirms that mushroom demand is growing at record levels,” said Mushroom Council President Bart Minor. “In addition to traditional uses of fresh mushrooms, The Blend – the culinary technique of blending fresh mushrooms with ground meat to maintain flavor and texture while reducing calories and fat – has opened up an entirely new market for mushroom sales, resulting in increased demand. “
This strong market increased the value of the Agaricus crop to $1.15 billion from more than 931 million pounds sold. Pennsylvania accounted for 63 percent of the total volume of sales and second-ranked California contributed 11 percent. Brown mushrooms, including Portabella and Crimini varieties, accounted for 161 million pounds, up five percent from last season. Brown mushrooms accounted for 17 percent of the total Agaricus volume sold and 21 percent of the total Agaricus value. Another record was set with 90 percent of Agaricus mushrooms going into the fresh market, up nine percent from last year.
Production of specialty mushrooms, including varieties such as shiitake and oyster mushrooms, grew by 21 percent to 22.5 million pounds, with a sales value of $75 million. While only four percent of total mushroom sales, 60.7 million pounds of certified organic mushrooms were produced last year, 40 percent more than the previous year.
The data is from the annual USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) production report which compiles survey data from all commercial mushroom farms in the United States.
“Shipments could be significantly higher if we just had more mushrooms. It's highly possible that demand could outpace supply. While grower/shippers continue to examine ways to efficiently expand production, resource issues, labor in particular, make that investment harder to implement," Minor said.
Summer demand for mushrooms has been higher than usual, according to several shippers, and the holiday season is expected to bring more demand signifying a tightening market up ahead.
“Increased demand will lead to further increases in the price for mushrooms,” according to American Mushroom Institute President Patty Foss-Bennie. “Growers and shippers continue to face the same challenges of higher production costs, including raw materials, wages and health care costs. With tight supply, prices should be moving up to meet demand. ”
“The Blend is creating interest in mushrooms which has inspired more home cooks to explore mushrooms. The Blend is contributing to overall mushroom demand,” according to Minor. “The Blend is currently being quickly adopted in foodservice outlets and over 222 restaurants have participated in the council’s Better Burger Project in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Most notably in the National School Lunch Program, The Blend continues growth of mushroom offerings in foodservice which has not only increased foodservice sales but increased overall demand for mushrooms.”
“The Blend is still in the early phases of adoption in the market,” notes Kathleen Preis, marketing manager for the Council, “The Council will continue to promote and partner with strategic organizations to grow awareness and acceptance of The Blend, and we will continue to expand it into retail.” RETAIL DATA
Over the past year (52-weeks ending 6/28/2015), the mushroom category has reached nearly $1.1 billion in retail dollar sales, according to IRI/Freshlook Marketing. Category sales increased two percent for the period and added $22 million and nearly six million pounds in incremental sales. Brown mushroom dollar sales grew four percent and drove this $22 million increase, adding $13 million to the category. Crimini mushrooms drove 70 percent of this $13 million increase, and grew four percent for the period. Sixteen ounce packages are pushing the category forward, up 15 percent and accounting for 18 percent of category dollar sales.
Mushroom category dollar growth was driven equally by conventional and organic mushrooms, both adding $11 million to the category. This shows impressive growth coming from organic mushrooms (up 18 percent), which make up seven percent of category dollars. Shiitake mushrooms lead the specialty segment, accounting for over half of all specialty mushrooms and posting six percent dollar sales growth for the period.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) provides an annual report on domestic mushroom production, which was released on August 20, 2015. The report covers all domestic production of mushrooms from July 1, 2014 to June 31, 2015.
To view the complete NASS report, visit:
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/Mush/Mush-08-20-2015.pdf
Source: American Mushroom Institute
