According to Maurice Koppen from the mushroom company 'Oakfield Champignons' based in Stramproy, The Netherlands, Christmas sales were less wild than in previous years, "Last week there were some real peak moments and that is reflected in the prices on the free market. All sales are concentrated on the few days before and after Christmas. In the meantime, the market situation is stabilizing, but production schedules are not quite right yet. At the beginning of this week production was good, but coming to the end of the week I expect less supply."
Chestnut mushrooms are currently around 1.90 Euro. The white mushrooms are going for 1.40 Euro, and Maurice expects the price to increase to 1.50-1.60 by the end of the week. The fine range mushrooms, which have a limited availability, are around 1.60. Oakfield is committed to getting the mushrooms as far as possible along the chain, "The interplay between trade and cultivation results in more openness with the customer, where the margins are directly benefiting the quality and continuity of primary production."
Looking back at 2014, Maurice says that in the second half of the year there was more often a shortage of oyster mushrooms than an excess. He also says that the market for shiitake mushrooms was fairly balanced, "The white mushrooms did not do as well the second half of the year compared to previous years. "The warm fall weather could be the reason for the residual demand. The Russian boycott could have also played a role in this, although it is hard to identify exact causes. 'Local-for-local', which is expanding it's production capabilities in Germany and France, remains a growing threat."
For more information:
Oakfield Champignons B.V.
Lochtstraat 1
6039 RV Stramproy (NL)
T +31 (0)495 56 41 13
F +31 (0)495 56 15 60
sales@oakfield.nl
www.oakfield.nl