UMDIS Mushroom Agency asked the great man and UMDIS` friend Neil Hobson, consultant of DTO comost exporter – what is the most challenging now for his clients worldwide. Neil travels to mushroom farms worldwide and knows how it is going in the industry.
Neil Hobson UK, support & advice for DTO.bv compost supplier and exporter.
I would say the two very common concerns raised repeatedly globally are :
– Peat supply & the future availability of suitable alternatives due to the increasing environmental based legislative restrictions from governments, regulatory bodies and customer requirements.
– Labour issues.
The availability at all levels within the business and the cost dependent on the country (high minimum wages etc).
Especially relevant though with regards harvesting teams due to the high % of a business’s workforce .
Other concerns I also hear regularly would be :
– Pest / disease chemical control restrictions.
For me though it is understanding that the majority of existing and common pest /disease issues can ‘still’ be controlled by great hygiene based around a common sense approach and good procedures with a distinct and fully completed daily / weekly / monthly / annual action plan.
Often people all around the world are far too quick to think a chemical route and say hands are being tied by legislative restrictions.
– Production and price competition from other countries and within a country.
This always exists and will continue to do so. But mushroom consumption per capita will always continue to increase and it’s about ‘steering your own ships’ as efficiently and productively as possible.
In all aspects of production how do we continually cut costs and improve efficiencies or diversify within our business for added value.
Yes, accepted much more difficult in many countries and unfortunately the larger organisations will often flourish due to economies of scale and the smaller will struggle to compete. But sadly this is the situation with much of worldwide agriculture.
But in many other ‘developing’ market countries I encounter. I become frustrated because due to very good prices many do not chase the very simple but often multiple (0.5-1kg/m2) yield gains to dilute all naturally increasing production costs . All should continually look to make these as those of us in the highly competitive mainland Europe industry grew and developed with as the normal..’
Dutch Trading Office BV/ DTO provides mushroom farms all over the world with the best quality mushroom substrate/compost. Thanks to their patented delivery method, they can guarantee that the mushroom substrate maintains its quality during transport.
DTO can provide with:
- Best quality mushroom substrate/compost
- Reliable supply chain
- All kinds of other products that are needed in a mushroom growing facility
- Professional consultancy and support on mushroom growing.
For contact +31 (0)493 321 984, info@dto-bv.com.
