Simon Franco is the owner of a small mushroom farm “Hongos blanc” (translated as “white mushrooms” from Spanish) in Argentina. He reads the articles that UMDIS agency writes about Europe, Asia, America or Australia and felt like he wants to share something about South American and in particular Argentinian mushroom business.-In Argentina there are just 6 farms. 5 of them started operations in the 90’s. We are the number 6, and started in 2020. We are 20 times smaller than the biggest farm. There are 2 big farms (big for Argentina) that produce maybe 200 tons per month. Their names are “Abrantes sa” and “Hongos del pilar”. Other 3 farms: “Cultivo del sur”, “Micel” and “la cuña sureña” produce between 25-50 tons per month. And our farm produce 10 tones a month, – tells Simon Franco.
According to Simon in Uruguay there is just one farm, producing 14 tones per month, while in Paraguay no mushrooms are produced on commercial scales. Brazil is a big mushroom market in South America. And México is the most advanced country in terms of mushroom business in latam.
-Here in Argentina the yields we receive are variable. We are still new to have an historical paradigm, but I think we have as optimum 25 kg/m2. Using bags system. I think that normal is 20-25 kg/m2 here in Argentina.
Simon explains that the largest farms use block system – the smaller may use bags.
-Farms here usually make their own compost, including those large farms. Some of them, import compost, but just a small share. For example, they import 10% of compost they make. We also have a small simple compost facility.
That`s enough unexpectedly that while the equipment for the mushroom farm and compost machinery was made by the farm itself – control computers for tunnels and bunkers were bought from TERA manufacturer, in Ukraine.
-Soon we would have to buy professional machinery to continue our business successfully, – tells Simon Franco.
Here is the website of Simon`s farm “Hongos blanc” in Argentina: https://www.hongosblanc.com/ .
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