Mushroom sales soar due to lack of other vegetables

Speaking to a number of mushroom companies over the past few weeks, the Irish Farmers Journal understands that since the start of the year, mushroom sales have picked up significantly in the UK. However, prices are unchanged because most of what is supplied is on contracted prices.

Many Irish mushroom companies exporting to the UK suffered following the sharp fall in sterling after the Brexit vote. Almost 85% of Irish mushroom production is destined for the UK market.

According to Kantar, the market research company, sales of mushrooms in the UK in January were up 4 % in volume and 2% in value compared with January last year, outperforming the vegetable category as a whole, which grew by 1% in volume but declined by 1% in value.

Sales of mushrooms generally pick up in January, with healthy eating on the agenda after the festive season, and this year sales were helped in part by a shortage of vegetable crops such as spinach, lettuce and courgettes.

Spain, which normally supplies the UK with these crops at this time of year, experienced flooding in the growing areas, and this was followed by unseasonably cold weather. It’s been compounded by poor growing conditions in Italy, Greece and Turkey.

According to Mike Neary of Bord Bia, retail sales of mushrooms in the UK are worth £359m on an annual basis, with a volume of 137,000t. The entire UK mushroom market, including foodservice, is estimated to be 191,000t.

Ireland produces 70,000t of mushrooms per annum, with a farmgate value of €137m and 85% of the crop exported to the UK.

There are currently 50 growers on over 59 production sites in Ireland employing 2,000 people directly. The marketing of the majority of mushrooms is carried out through a number of companies, with Monaghan Mushrooms and Walsh Mushrooms marketing significant volumes.