Yesterday, we published an article stating that half of Ukraine's mushroom growers have stopped their activities following the Russian invasion. "That will also have an irreversible effect on the coming wild (forest) mushrooms season for the availability of varieties like chanterelles," says Alex Vos of the Dutch company Banken Champignons.
"Polish and Dutch farmers remain the leading mushroom growers on the European market. Ukraine has always mainly supplied the Russian market, sending almost nothing to Europe. But I'm concerned about the chanterelles supply. Ukraine supplies many of these forest mushrooms."
"Few of those will be picked, and they'll wither away. If they're going to be picked at all, the payment options are blocked. That supply is, thus, going to be problematic, and prices are going to rise considerably. Plenty of wild mushrooms are traditionally also picked in Russia and Belarus. Those won't reach the market either, due to trade restrictions," Alex explains.
"I'm not expecting as many problems with the remaining Ukrainian mushroom range for the European market. There have been huge cost price increases due to raw materials, energy, and labor. Thanks to that, availability of fresh mushrooms (including Dutch) is a crucial, greatly concerning matter."
Several Ukrainian workers left Banken Champignons' Polish farm. "The men went to war, while most of the women have to care for their families. So, they left. We work mainly with Polish people but are expecting Ukrainian refugees, who can supplement our labor force at our Dutch and Polish sites," Alex concludes.
For more information:
Alex Vos
Banken Champignons
Tel: +31 (0) 243 667 441
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bankenchampignons.com
