On November 13, The 19th World Mushroom Biology & Product Meeting was opened in Shanghai City, China. During the meeting, relevant expert reported the following interpretation on development status of China’s mushroom industry.
In 2017, gross mushroom output reached 36 million tons in China, which occupied 70% of global output.
Since 21th Century, Big Health Industry which includes mushroom industry has been gaining attentions. In 2010, global mushroom production mainly centred on developed countries. On aspect of annual mushroom output, US, Japan, Holland and Korea respectively hit 410,000 tons, 380,000 tons, 230,000 tons and 200,000 tons.
In the 1970s, mushroom industry started to rapid develop in China. In 1978, annual mushroom output totaled nearly 100,000 tons in China, which merely occupied 5.7% of that of global. However, in 2013, the number was fiercely increased to 31.70 million tons.
In addition to artificial mushroom production, China is also one of the nations that own abundant resources on wild mushroom in the world. Nowadays, there are over 2000 edible species, of which China masters above 900.
“Among 900 edible species found in China, there are 50 sold as commodities while above 20 hold certain production scales,” explains relevant expert.
As known to all, in America, mushroom production mainly features Button mushroom. Japan’s top mushroom varieties are King oyster, Shiitake, Hypsizygus marmoreus and Oyster mushroom. Korean famous mushrooms include Oyster, Shiitake, Enoki and Button mushroom while Button mushroom is always the characteristic variety in Holland, France, Spain and other European nations.
Moreover, China’s mushroom deep processing industry also launches Mushroom Powder, Crisp, Beverage, Essence, Salt and other products, stretching over industrial fields such as Agriculture, Medicine, and Health-care.
Ultimately, there is also short slab in China’s mushroom industry. Now, in Europe and America, Japan and Korea, industrialized (factory-mode) mushroom production has been realized to replace traditional growing pattern while China still seizes traditional mushroom farming, which implies low industrial concentration ratio and merely 10% of efficiency (90% in developed nations). Meanwhile, as consumers’ requirement tends to diversify, variety structure of China’s mushroom industry still awaits the optimization.

Recently, it is the harvest time of Pholiota nameko in Bianhuang Village, Qimeng Town, Guizhou Province of China.
Qimeng Town used to lead a tardy development speed on aspect of agriculture, over the years, under the leadership of local town party committee, villagers have been vigorously driven to embark on Pholiota nameko farming with the superiority of local natural resources and climatic conditions.
Pholiota nameko presents yellow and tan color, it is in golden color during the maturation period. In addition, Pholiota nameko holds good or even excellent taste and it is also a kind of health-care food that features low calorie and low fat.
Up to now, over 17,500 kg of Pholiota nameko have been output in Bianhuang Village, gross revenues hit at least 70,000 CNY.

In China, production of mushroom cans mainly gathers in Fujian, Liaoning, Shandong and Henan Province, Button mushroom is the top variety.
Nowadays, export market for canned mushroom is constantly expanding and showing the diversified trend. Over the years, China exports mushroom cans to over 180 nations and regions, it especially exploits the markets in ASEAN and along the One Belt One Road. In 2015, China exported 127,000 tons of mushroom cans to nations along the One Belt One Road, export value reached 160 million USD, which respectively accounts for 54% and 41% of that of China.
In 2015, China’s gross export on mushroom cans came to 237,000 tons, export value hit 390 million USD, of which canned Button mushrooms occupied 185,000 tons and valued 250 million USD.

Recently, Reishi mushrooms artificially planted in Yunhe Base of Baihe Town, Fang County, Hubei Province of China are evolving into the maturation and workers are busy with the collection work of spore powder, which indicates the successful trial planting.
Spore powder of Reishi mushroom agglomerates the essence of Reishi mushroom, it is packed with all genetic material and health-care function of Reishi mushroom, thus gaining high medicinal values.
“By now, Reishi mushrooms cultivated in two sheds have yielded fruitful results, mu output on spore powder reaches 500 kg, Reishi mushrooms are processed or made into bonsais, slices and wines in accordance with shapes and sizes, products are quite preferred by consumers,” said principal of Yunhe Base.

Over the years, Siyang County, Jiangsu Province of China persists in taking high-efficiency mushroom industry as the holder that promotes the construction of new rural demonstration county, propels farmers to increase earnings, unswervingly pushes the moderate scale management of agriculture, especially highlighting the powerful support provided by local under-forest development pattern, and comprehensive utilization mode of mushroom residues. Up to now, Siyang County has become one of the largest industrialized mushroom bases in China.
“After years of development, up to now, we have built 19 mushroom bases, and enterprises engaging in industrialized mushroom production. Characteristic mushroom varieties cover Enoki, King oyster, Button, Straw and other 10,” said head of Siyang County with enthusiasm.
Nowadays, mushroom growing is seized as one of the leading industries that propel farmers to increase incomes and grow rich. In Siyang County, mushroom farming firmly provides 2800 stable jobs for growers, annual acquisition volume on straw, sawdust and other agricultural wastes comes to nearly 60,000 tons.

On November 12, Eryngii mushrooms cultivated in Huaixiang Mushroom Garden of Huai’an City, Jiangsu Province of China are in sales time.
“Daily output on fresh Pleurotus eryngii comes to 50 tons,” introduces person in charge of the garden warmly. After years of endeavor, industrialized mushroom production has become the main force in Huai’an City. Nowadays, mushrooms produced in the city involve Button, Pleurotus eryngii, Enoki, Shiitake, Oyster, Straw and other 10 varieties.
Pleurotus eryngii is known as King oyster mushroom, it has a light brown to grey cap with a robust white shank. Eryngii can grow up to a height of 10 centimeters. The average diameter of the cap varies between 3 to 10 centimeters. Taste of the mushroom is comparable to the taste of nuts (almond) while its dense texture will even stand up to grilling on a BBQ! The Eryngii can be grown the majority of the year, in addition to China, it is mostly imported from Korea.

In February this year an announcement was made that Lambert Spawn Europe had a change of ownership. Champfood sold all their shares to Lambert Spawn USA and transferred the daily management to Ies Hooglugt who was already responsible for the European business. Ies and his team of Lambert Spawn searched for several possibilities to establish an European production site and concluded in 2018 on a production facility in Venlo. In May this year the construction of this facility started and the site will be fully operational in the first half of 2019.

The same production process and knowledge of spawn in the US will be used in the Dutch production site. Therefore the same quality of spawn can be guaranteed as well as the possibilities to distribute faster and more efficient to their customers. The new production site will be responsible for producing and distributing spawn to the European, African and Middle Eastern market and has his own distribution channel. Recently they have added Kieran Smyth to their team, who will be responsible for the English and Irish Market. Growth and delivering quality spawn is the keyword for Ies and his team. Lambert Spawn also has a strong focus on innovation, in which the factory in Venlo will also play an important role.

Next to the introduction and launch of a complete new production site, Lambert Spawn will also celebrate their 100th anniversary next year! In May 2019 they will celebrate this huge milestone together with the official opening of their production site, so write down May the 21st. (day before the Dutch Mushroom Days) in your agenda! More news will follow in the coming weeks and months.

We know that there are many species of fungi in the UK (around 15000 at the last count), but for many we have little idea about where they are or even whether they have become extinct. The Lost & Found Fungi Project focus on fungi that have been rarely recorded from our region, carrying out targeted surveys to establish whether they are still there, and if so whether they are genuinely rare or merely under-reported.

Find out more about the The Lost & Found Fungi Project.