Relevant data shows that the overall edible mushroom production volume in Putian reached 33.6 thousand tons in the first half of 2018. This is a decrease of 18.3 thousand tons or 35.3% in comparison with the production volume in the same period of the previous year. The production volume of common mushrooms reached 31.9 thousand tons, which is a decrease of 35%; the production volume of almond mushrooms reached 0.5 thousand tons, which is a decrease of 65.2%; and the production volume of shiitake mushrooms reached 0.8 thousand tons, which is a decrease of 20.6%.
The surface area devoted to edible mushroom production reached 365 hectares, which is a decrease of 133 hectares in comparison with the same period in the previous year. The surface area devoted to shiitake mushrooms reached 373 square meters, which is a decrease of 234 square meters or 38.6% in comparison with the same period in the previous year.
The profit in the edible mushroom industry in Putian, Fujian, steadily declined in recent years as a result of rising labor cost and related factors. Larger mushroom producers have already moved their operations to Yunnan and other economically underdeveloped areas. The remaining mushroom producers in Putian are shrinking and cannot expand operations. As a result, the production volume of edible mushrooms in Putian steadily declines every year.
Source: Chinese Edible Mushroom Service Online