Status and trends in world mushroom production-III -World Production of Different Mushroom Species in 21st Century

Abstract

Due to  almost unimaginable growth in production of shiitake, oyster mushroom, wood ear mushroom and Flammulina and other new mushroom species, particularly in East Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, etc, the contribution of these mushrooms to total world mushroom production has increased tremendously as compared to button mushroom which is no more the number one mushroom in terms of share in global mushroom production. FAOSTAT represents consolidated data of mushroom production but does not cover all the species and countries and species-wise data is not available. Data were hence procured from major mushroom producing countries like Japan, Korea, China, European union, America, Canada, Australia and others or accessed from the research papers/databases available. Based on data from different sources, estimated world mushroom production in 2018-19 was 43 million tonne (MT)  with Lentinula edodes (shiitake) contributing 26%, Auricularia spp 21% Pleurotus ostreatus 16%, Agaricus bisporus (button) 11%, Flammulina velutipes 7%, P. eryngii (king oyster) 5%, Volvariella volvacea (paddy straw mushroom) 1% and others 13%. Other important contributors were Agrocybe aegerita, Pholiota nameko,  Tremella fuciformis, Hypsizygus marmoreus, etc. Production in developed countries is on decline or has reached plateau. Shiitake, Pleurotus species, etc which are mostly cultivated in Asian countries, have started making inroads in Europe, America, Canada and Australia  where Agaricus bisporus is prime contributor. Global production is likely to surpass 50 MT by 2025.