Zlatko Vidmar of Sylvan Inc. recently stressed that China’s influence on the global mushroom industry is hard to ignore. With a population nearing 1.5 billion and large agricultural lands, the country has emerged as a leading producer of mushrooms worldwide.
Zlatko Vidmar of Sylvan Inc. presented on China’s mushroom farming sector the 2024 Wokas Pieczarkalia Mushroom Industry Conference, Poland. He emphasized how China’s mushroom industry, which started at a mere 60,000 tons annually in 1978, has grown by about 700% over the past decades to reach 42 million tons today. There are over 966 species edible fungi in China. The medical fungi are 576 species ,90 are cultivated species of which 18 are grown commercially.
What began as a modest sector in the late 1970s has since exploded into a $55 billion industry, employing over 25 million people (2% of the population) and producing 42 million tons of mushrooms annually. As demand for mushrooms continues to rise, both domestically and abroad, “China’s mushroom industry has grown at an impressive rate of 6% annually, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.” – Zlatko Vidmar, Sylvan Inc.
In addition to scale, China’s mushroom sector has seen impressive technological advancements and diversification in its production. From the northern regions cultivating morels to the eastern provinces producing Agaricus mushrooms, the country has positioned itself as a global mushroom producer. The following table showcase the annual production data of the most cultivated species.
| Mushroom Type | Annual Production in China (Tons) |
|---|---|
| Shiitake | 13 million |
| Black Fungus | 7 million |
| Oyster | 6 million |
| Flamulina | 2 million |
| Agaricus | 2 million |
| King Oyster | 1.5 million |
| Agrocybe | 900,000 |
| Nameko | 600,000 |
| Stropharia | 200,000 |
| Morchella | 90,000 |
The scale of China’s mushroom cultivation is matched by diversity. Northern China focuses on morel mushrooms, while the eastern regions, particularly Shandong, are hubs for Agaricus mushrooms. Shandong, in particular, has witnessed the establishment of massive mushroom farms since the 1990s, with some producing up to 120 tons of mushrooms per day.
While China’s mushroom industry is increasing exponentially, it faces several significant challenges. These include market dynamics, improper application of new technologies, and shortage of both labour and raw materials.
Vidmar pointed out that despite the introduction of cutting-edge equipment imported from Europe, particularly the Netherlands, many farmers struggle with the proper application of these technologies. “There’s a gap in technical knowledge that needs to be addressed,” he said. European experts frequently visit to train farmers, but once they leave, production efficiency often declines.
Labor shortages also present a critical issue for China’s mushroom producers. As more people migrate from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities, mushroom farms are left understaffed. Vidmar noted that some farms are considering importing labor from neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia to fill this gap.
In addition to workforce concerns, China is facing shortages in the raw materials required for mushroom cultivation, particularly compost and casing soil. Much of the compost is derived from rice and corn straw, but with the industry’s rapid expansion, securing enough straw is becoming increasingly difficult. Vidmar explained that the situation for casing soil is even more precarious, as it is primarily sourced from a single province in northeast China. With harsh winters limiting the production of casing soil, China has begun importing it from countries like Ireland and the United States.
Despite these challenges, the outlook for China’s mushroom industry remains bright. Vidmar expressed optimism about the sector’s potential, especially with improvements in technology and ongoing training for farmers. “China has the resources and scale to remain a global leader in mushroom production for years to come.”, he said.
One key player in this growth is Sylvan Inc., which established mycelium production facilities in China’s Huaian Jiangsu province in 2021. Sylvan now controls around 80% of the mycelium market in China, positioning the company as a dominant force in the industry.
Vidmar encouraged conference attendees to visit China and witness the scale of its mushroom farms firsthand, noting that Sylvan could assist in organizing study tours to showcase the country’s remarkable achievements.
China’s mushroom industry is undoubtedly facing some challenges, but with continued investment in technology, labor, and resources, it is poised to maintain its status as a dominant player in the global mushroom market. As Vidmar concluded,
“The future is bright for China’s mushroom sector, and we’re excited to see where it goes from here.”, Zlatko Vidmar, Sylvan Inc.
