Domestic mushroom production and value reached all-time highs last year, according to a recently issued US Department of Agriculture report. The value of domestic mushroom production jumped by 10 percent from last year’s level, with production increasing by six percent. The 953 million pound crop in 2014-2015 broke the previous year’s record value by $112 million.
This strong market increased the value of the Agaricus crop to $1.15 billion from more than 931 million pounds sold. Pennsylvania accounted for 63 percent of the total volume of sales and second-ranked California contributed 11 percent. Brown mushrooms, including Portabella and Crimini varieties, accounted for 161 million pounds, up five percent from last season. Brown mushrooms accounted for 17 percent of the total Agaricus volume sold and 21 percent of the total Agaricus value. Another record was set with 90 percent of Agaricus mushrooms going into the fresh market, up nine percent from last year.
Production of specialty mushrooms, including varieties such as shiitake and oyster mushrooms, grew by 21 percent to 22.5 million pounds, with a sales value of $75 million. While only four percent of total mushroom sales, 60.7 million pounds of certified organic mushrooms were produced last year, 40 percent more than the previous year.
Summer demand for mushrooms has been higher than usual, according to several shippers, and the holiday season is expected to bring more demand signifying a tightening market up ahead.
Over the past year (52-weeks ending 6/28/2015), the mushroom category has reached nearly $1.1 billion in retail dollar sales, according to IRI/Freshlook Marketing. Category sales increased two percent for the period and added $22 million and nearly six million pounds in incremental sales. Brown mushroom dollar sales grew four percent and drove this $22 million increase, adding $13 million to the category. Crimini mushrooms drove 70 percent of this $13 million increase, and grew four percent for the period. Sixteen ounce packages are pushing the category forward, up 15 percent and accounting for 18 percent of category dollar sales.
Mushroom category dollar growth was driven equally by conventional and organic mushrooms, both adding $11 million to the category. This shows impressive growth coming from organic mushrooms (up 18 percent), which make up seven percent of category dollars. Shiitake mushrooms lead the specialty segment, accounting for over half of all specialty mushrooms and posting six percent dollar sales growth for the period.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) provides an annual report on domestic mushroom production, which was released on August 20, 2015. The report covers all domestic production of mushrooms from July 1, 2014 to June 31, 2015.
