San Jose, CALIF. – The value of domestic mushroom production topped $1 billion for the third in a row, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report. The approximately 895 million pound crop from 2012-2013 shows an overall 14% increase in production since 2009 -2010.
Mushroom Council President, Bart Minor comments on the strong mushroom demand “As the latest NASS report suggests, demand for mushrooms remains strong; up 14% over the last three years. If you consider shipment figures reported to the Mushroom Council on First Handler Reports, they appear to be getting stronger.”
Mr. Minor continues, “Mushroom Council shipment records show fresh shipments have grown 11% over the last three years. The Mushroom Council data compares favorably with IRI reported scanner sales that also show mushroom volume grew 4% from July 2012 through June 2013.” More pounds shipped at higher prices is the very definition of strong demand" concludes Mr. Minor.
Agaricus mushroom production totaled 877 million pounds. Pennsylvania accounted for 62 percent of the total volume of sales and second-ranked California contributed 13 percent similar to 2011-2012. Brown mushrooms, including Portabella and Crimini varieties, accounted for 152 million pounds, up 4 percent from last season. Brown mushrooms accounted for 17 percent of the total Agaricus volume sold and 21 percent of the total Agaricus value.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) provides an annual report on domestic mushroom production, which was released on August 20, 2013. The report surveys all domestic production of mushrooms from (July 1, 2012 to June 31, 2013).
The value of sales for commercially grown specialty mushrooms totaled $64.7 million, up 7 percent from 2011-2012. Specialty mushrooms include Shiitake, Oyster and other varieties. The average price per pound received by specialty growers is up 18 cents from the previous season.
To view the complete NASS report, visit http://www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/mush0813.pdf
About The Mushroom Council:
The Mushroom Council is composed of fresh market producers or importers who average more than 500,000 pounds of mushrooms produced or imported annually. The mushroom program is authorized by the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990 and is administered by the Mushroom Council under the supervision of the Agricultural Marketing Service. Research and promotion programs help to expand, maintain and develop markets for individual agricultural commodities in the United States and abroad. These industry self-help programs are requested and funded by the industry groups that they serve. For more information on the Mushroom Council, visit mushroomcouncil.org
Source: Mushroom Council