Mushroom production has increased recently as improved spring weather provides good conditions for growth. Demand is still strong, despite being outside of the peak Holiday periods, with brown mushrooms seeing especially strong demand. The market is tight and prices are above average for this time of year.
"At this point in the year, production is better," said Kevin Donovan of Phillips Mushroom Farms. "The market is as tight as its been, particularly on the browns. There is not as much production on brown mushrooms, but the demand is still strong for them. Shiitake mushrooms continue to see strong growth and there has also been increased interest in the King Oyster mushroom on the fresh market. The latter varieties are more on the high-end price wise and therefore still don't see significant movement."
Summer expected to see shorter supplies
Summer is approaching and the warmer the temperatures are, the more mushroom production tends to reduce. There are a couple of factors that influence this. One being that mushrooms prefer cooler temperatures, and the other is grower intervention. Mushroom producers will cut short the growing period to prevent any damage from insects and mold that are more prevalent in summer.
"Production usually goes down in the summer as growers shorten the growing time-frame and finish a crop earlier," Donovan explained. "By harvesting earlier, we limit the effects of mold and flies and other insects during the summer months, protecting subsequent crops."
Blended products making a notable presence
Phillips Mushroom Farms introduced a new organic line last year and Donovan said there has been a good response to the organic mushrooms. Moreover, he has noticed a significant increase in interest for mushrooms in blended products. These are generally products that are a combination of meat with mushrooms, where the mushrooms serve as a partial substitute for the meat portion. The category is now moving up from a niche one to one with a notable presence in the market. Consumers are increasingly looking for healthier alternatives, and the mushroom blended meats are also seen as a more environmentally friendly product.
"The organics have been doing very well," Donovan observed. "The latest development is that there has been a lot of press surrounding the mushroom blend products. We are seeing a lot of interest and growth in this category and the blended products are now reaching a wider market. Recently, Sonic Burgers announced an extension to their mushroom and meat blend range. There is increased demand for these products as more consumers seek out meat substitutes."
For more information:
Kevin Donovan
Phillips Mushroom Farms
Tel: +1 (610) 444-4492