Introduction to the Mushroom Sector

Mushrooms: The mushroom industry is the largest horticultural sector in Ireland. It has a farm gate value of €119 million, of which approximately 80% is exported to the UK. It currently employs over 3,500 people. Bord Bia indicate that the UK market for mushrooms is growing steadily in recent years at about 2% per year. Button/Closed cup mushrooms hold the largest share of the market followed by Flat/Breakfast mushrooms, value mushrooms and then the sliced and exotic mushrooms.