May 3 2007, 14:30

Prices for oyster mushroom and champignon decline

According to the results of the price monitoring for mushrooms done on the wholesale markets of Ukraine, the prices for this product have significantly decreased since the Easter holidays. The prices declined both for oyster mushroom and for champignon 17-35% depending on the market location and the product quality. The majority of the market players predicted the prices to decline, because this is an annual trend. The unpleasant fact is that the mushroom producers have the same prices for this produce comparing to the previous year, and sometimes the prices are even lower. At the same time, the expenses for mushroom production and harvesting are characterized by the ultimately positive dynamics. For example, the average price for champignon on the wholesale market in Kyiv in the end of April 2006 was $1.8/kg; this year the product price declined down to $1.6/kg. The oyster mushroom costs the same as a year ago.

The main reason of the price decrease is the supply, which exceeds demand. This trend is especially vivid in the periods when weather conditions let the producers grow mushrooms for the minimal expenses, so that many small growers launch mushroom production for the short period of time. At the same time, if we consider the mushroom consumption in Ukraine comparing to the countries with the higher living standards, we will see significant opportunities to increase mushroom consumption. Also, if we take into account the increasing expenses for mushroom production in the countries of Eastern European EU members, Poland in particular, we can tell about the opportunity for Ukraine to become a large mushroom producer in the region and even a huge supplier of mushroom products to the European markets. Let us draw your attention to the fact that the perspectives of mushroom production in Ukraine will be one of the main topics of the conference "Mushroom Industry-2007", conducted in the framework of the same-name exhibition in the National Complex "Expocenter of Ukraine" held June 12th-15th 2007.