At the recent UMDIS mushroom growing course in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, UMDIS consultant Iurie Boiciuc not only shared his expertise to course participants but also participated in an interview with Agro TV.

In the interview, Iurie emphasized the potential for growth in Uzbekistan’s mushroom sector. He stressed on the importance of adopting modern practices, such as investing in good climate control systems.

” Many growers are still relying on outdated technologies and methods. Most mushroom growers still use old technology and follow outdated methods. It’s necessary to modernize facilities to achieve higher yields and better quality per square meter.”- Iurie Boiciuc

In Uzbekistan, about 300 mushroom farms produce up to 3,000 tons of mushrooms each year, primarily to meet local demand. With this level of production, the mushroom industry here is still in its early stages. Most compost is supplied by five main composting facilities, though many small growers are beginning to produce their own compost using modern methods.

“By making a few small adjustments, growers in Uzbekistan could potentially increase their yields by 20%,” – Iurie Boiciuc

The market price for mushrooms varies between $3 to $7 per kilogram, which provides a solid income for growers. Despite this, mushroom consumption in Uzbekistan is relatively low, with less than 200 grams per person each year. This suggests a huge opportunity for growth, as awarness could encourage people to include mushrooms in their diets.