The spring-like temperatures of the past few days, and the fact that consumers have chosen new fresh products, caused a drop in the sales of mushrooms.
FreshPlaza talked to Filippo Lupo, the production manager at Agri Funghi, a company specializing in the production of king trumpet mushrooms and substrates.
"The main problem is due not so much to the high temperatures, but rather to the temperature changes between night and day - we are registering 20°C during the day and only 0-2°C at night."
"This leads to lower substrate yields (-20/30%) and bacteriosis, a typical infection that affects this kind of mushroom."
"Sales have slowed down due to the drop in demand. Commercialization is usually great until the first week of January, then things stabilize only to slow down around this period."
"The cold front registered last week blocked the growth in Puglia and Basilicata, then things picked up thanks to the higher temperatures of the past few days leading to market saturation."
"Anyway we are pleased with the current campaign - average wholesale prices were €5/kg, slightly more than the past campaign."
