In February, Neofungi completed the expansion of its facilities, allowing them to increase their production of fresh mushrooms ready for consumption at any time of the year by between 800,000 and one million kilos per year. "After completing this one, we are undertaking further expansions in 2024 that will allow us to finish the year with an even greater production capacity," says Sergio Pinto, commercial director of the second-degree cooperative.
"As market leaders in the fresh mushroom sector, we felt it was necessary to pursue such uninterrupted growth in 2024 and 2025, despite the challenging times we are experiencing in the mushroom sector."
"In recent years, we have been facing a number of difficulties, like the pandemic, the war and the rise in energy prices, or the drought, which has had an impact on our main raw material for mushroom production: straw."
And not only because the lack of rain significantly reduced its supply and caused its price to skyrocket, "but because we were forced to import straw from France, and from irrigated crops, of inferior quality to that we normally use," says Sergio. "Thus, the harvest of mushrooms grown with that straw has been affected, and our productivity has been lower than in other years."
"It is true that we are dealing with higher expenses in raw materials and a lower production, but we must think long-term and address any problems coming our way, because mushrooms are an economic and social engine for La Manchuela. In fact, if it weren't for mushrooms and particularly for the partners that make up Neofungi, Champinter and Mercajucar, which employ more than 1,800 people in the region, this area would be at risk of depopulation."
"That's why we, at Neofungi, have chosen to undertake this growth process, so that we'll be able to continue providing the best service to our customers, be better prepared to overcome all difficulties and come out even stronger."
For more information:
Neofungi
Camino Quintanar S/N. 02636
Villalgordo del Júcar, Albacete. Spain
Tel.: +34 967 45 50 94
[email protected]
https://neofungi.com
