mushroom

" The mushroom industry’s future is positive due to changing public perceptions of the fungus, but the industry needs restructuring to keep up with growing demands and declining profits. Statistics from various groups around the EU, US and Australia as well as the FAO have shown a sharp increase in the demand for mushrooms, as modern consumers are increasingly seeking health-added benefits to their foods. Processed mushrooms account for 55 per cent of the total world market, largely because of the fungi's short life span. Of this 55 per cent, 50 per cent are canned and 5 per cent are dried. The Netherlands has the strongest hold on canned mushroom processing with a 39 per cent share, closely followed by China. Forty-five per cent of the world's supply is consumed in un-processed form. China has a firm hold of the specialty market - its growers account for 80 per cent of the world's Oyster mushroom production alone."