In the whole mushroom world from America to Australia through Europe we see the tendency of consolidation of mushroom production. Large mushroom farms become larger, smaller farms often go out of the market. UMDIS Mushroom Information agency wrote about it before.

In Poland the most powerful region in mushroom production was Western Poland, there mushrooms are being grown for 30+ years – even the Polish mushroom festival every year takes place in Wielichowo town there. But as most of button mushroom farms are small and domestic, – during last years they “make way” for large mushroom farms in the Eastern part of Poland (which were built with lot of subsidiaries from EU). Those large farms in the East every year become bigger changing the structure of the market. Some small button mushrooms farms in the West became exotic farms as well.

Even in Australia while more than 50 mushroom farms worked before Covid, 42-43 farms left. And large farms during last years built new rooms.

Taking into consideration all these – unexpected thing for us was to see Funghi Box by AEM BV during Mushroom Days in Netherlands this year.

It is container (truck/trailer) with mushrooms growing inside, with control computer and all needed staff and conditions. So Funghi box is a ready to grow solution to start a small scale production of mushrooms.  Small movable mushroom farm!

-A few years ago we regularly received questions from small growers who produced exotics on a very small scale (in a shed behind their home or in a cellar) to optimize their climate. It often turned out to be difficult to realize because of the location of these spaces or it quickly turned out to be too expensive because of the central items that are necessary for good climate control, – tells UMDIS Peter Aerts from AEM.We decided to talk with Peter Aerts from AEM after the exhibition to tell our readers what is company`s idea and how it all functions.

Interesting for us is that (let`s be fair) equipment suppliers in TOP-10 (and AEM is definitely there) are often do not have time for small farms` orders. And AEM decided to look at those clients and even make for them a special product!

-Because AEM is also active in greenhouse horticulture, we were also aware of all developments in the field of urban growing and vertical growing. After some research into some existing ideas, it turned out that the correct and stable control of the climate was often a problem in these containers. In collaboration with John Verbruggen, we have tested our ideas and solutions for quite some time, from which our stand alone Funghi box has emerged.

As it is well-known, AEM has its own control-computer. Probably it is one of the things which made the setting of such Funghi boxes` production easier, cheaper – so commercially effective.

Peter Aerts tells UMDIS:

-Our Funghi box will certainly not replace the regular mushroom production, but in our opinion it can benefit from the Urban farming movement. We have seen for some time that the trend of “local for local” continues to grow, and certainly for the production of exotics.

According to Peter Aerts, The Funghi box is perfect for small scale, local food production. It enables you to grow restaurant-quality mushrooms in any environment. Due to the small scale design, the Funghi box is also very suitable as a test facility. With this latest development, AEM contributes to the world of Urban and vertical growing and the company does not exclude further development in this segment of the market.

-The Funghi box is an accessible solution to start growing mushrooms on a small scale. This 40 Feet growing unit is completely isolated and fully equipped, ready to start growing. With a climate unit, air distribution system, sensors, lighting and the AEM Infinity control system the Funghi box is fully equipped to create the ideal growing circumstances for the mushroom production, – tells Peter Aerts.

Specifications that the company declares:

• computer with 12 Inch industrial resistive touch screen (Standard delivered in English language, others languages on request)
• Dry and wet bulb measuring box
• Substrate temperature sensors
• CO2 measuring
• Humidification system
• Lighting

As being a plug-and-play solution, no additional central items are needed.

In AEM the clients get such similar explanation: all you need is water and electricity to start growing.

-Until now, the interest in the Funghi box has been very varied. We receive requests from small starting producers, but also from larger mushroom growers who want to expand their range with exotics. Furthermore, several research institutions and spawn producers are interested in using the Funghi box as a test unit, – shares Peter Aerts.

About AEM

AEM is one of the leading companies in the installation and climate computer sector for mushroom cultivation, composting and horticulture. The company works for almost 50 years, following a customer-orientated approach.

 If you have any questions or are interested in Funghi box sales@aembv.com

On the website of the company, you can find more www.aembv.comJTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGOGJPYWxkSXFuZEElMjIlMjB0aXRsZSUzRCUyMllvdVR1YmUlMjB2aWRlbyUyMHBsYXllciUyMiUyMGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyJTNEJTIyMCUyMiUyMGFsbG93JTNEJTIyYWNjZWxlcm9tZXRlciUzQiUyMGF1dG9wbGF5JTNCJTIwY2xpcGJvYXJkLXdyaXRlJTNCJTIwZW5jcnlwdGVkLW1lZGlhJTNCJTIwZ3lyb3Njb3BlJTNCJTIwcGljdHVyZS1pbi1waWN0dXJlJTNCJTIwd2ViLXNoYXJlJTIyJTIwYWxsb3dmdWxsc2NyZWVuJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNF