The Netherlands has again become the second largest producer of mushrooms in Europe for the 2022-23 season, according to market research by Dutch GroentenFruit Huis. During the period under review, the country produced 235,000 tonnes of mushrooms, produced by 95 companies. This quantity was produced on 68 hectares of growing area.
Last year, 66% of the mushrooms produced, 155,000 tonnes, were processed in canning factories. The remaining 80,000 tonnes were sold as fresh mushrooms. In 2023, this proportion is expected to remain the same, with 130,000 tonnes of processed mushrooms and 75,000 tonnes of fresh mushrooms forecast.
Export-oriented production
Only 40% of the mushrooms produced by the Dutch mushroom industry reach the table of domestic consumers. 60% of the mushrooms are exported to surrounding countries. The 3 biggest sales destinations for Dutch mushroom producers are Germany (19%), France (12%) and Belgium (11%). The UK is in fourth place with 7%.
Big European mushroom consumers
The largest consumers of mushrooms are found in the UK. On average, a British customer eats 3-4 kilos of fresh mushrooms a year. In Poland, the largest mushroom-producing country, the average person eats 2.2 kilos per person. The Dutch consume 1.8 kg on average, ahead of Germany, which consumes 1.6 kg. Hungarian consumption is slowly increasing, currently averaging 1.5-1.6 kg per person. The European average consumption of mushrooms is about 3 kg/person/year. The recent campaign to promote mushroom consumption in Europe aims to significally increase this number.
Sliced and brown mushroom
The Dutch love convenience, which is reflected in their mushroom consumption. The quantity of sliced mushrooms sold in supermarkets is increasing year by year. While in 2020 only 9% of mushrooms sold were sliced, this increased to 16% by 2023. Brown (crimini) mushroom are also becoming increasingly popular, currently accounting for 34% of mushroom sales, while white button mushroom account for 60%. All other cultivated mushrooms (oyster- and exotic mushrooms) account for only 6% of Dutch production.
Dutch consumers
The largest consumers of button mushrooms in the Netherlands are mainly the middle classes. There are three major groups of fungi consumers. These are higher income families with children (25%), two-person households with no children (23%) and wealthier pensioners (20%). Single people aged 40-65 (7%) are the least likely to buy mushrooms.
Full report can be downloaded from the website of GroentenFruit Huis, the Dutch vegetable growers’ association, HERE.
