Baby bella, organics, larger packs lead mushroom trends
Mushroom growers are experiencing trends similar to those with fresh produce in general, powered by what consumers buy at retail.
Larger retail pack sizes, “especially 16-ounce whole and sliced mushrooms, have seen exceptional growth,” said Chris Johansen of Buona Foods, Landenberg, Pa., in a survey by The Packer.
Watsonville, Calif.-based Monterey Mushrooms is also seeing growth in larger retail pack sizes, the baby bella (crimini) variety and organics.
“Actually, organic growth has been even a little stronger in 2020,” said Bruce Knobeloch, vice president of marketing and product development.
“And with everybody hunkered down at home and more meal occasions, a consumer who may buy an 8-ounce pack is now buying a 16-ounce pack.”
The sliced and whole baby bella mushroom share at To-Jo Mushrooms, Avondale, Pa., has grown too, as well as sliced shiitakes, said Samantha Snyder, national account manager.
During the height of the pandemic, To-Jo focused on its current varieties, but toward midsummer and fall, it returned its focus toward expanding its Foraged Fresh program.
Three out of four respondents to The Packer’s survey said that retailers can effectively promote mushrooms by offering a diverse variety of mushrooms, conventional and organic, and a variety of pack sizes.
Value of sales for commercially grown specialty mushrooms, including shiitake and oysters, in 2019-20 was $67.4 million, up 2% from the 2018-19 season, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Phillips Mushroom Farms, Kennett Square, Pa., is continuing to shift production to meet the rising demand for its baby bellas, shiitakes and organics too, said Sean Steller, director of business development.
The especially high nutritional value of shiitake could be fueling some of that consumption, he said.
Phillips grows white, baby bella, portabella, shiitake, oyster, maitake, royal trumpet and pom pom (lion’s mane) mushrooms.
South Mill Champs, Kennett Square, is experiencing the trend toward a much more customer-specific product when it comes to packaging and mushroom size, said Jessica Weil, brand communications manager. Value-added and organic volumes keep increasing too.
Maitake and shiitake are popular varieties at RI Mushroom Co., West Kingston, R.I., said co-owner Michael Hallock.
Even during the pandemic, he’s seeing a shift from plastic to fiber packaging.
And although 10-pound boxes of white mushrooms — mostly medium, some button and silver dollar sized — are the main variety produced at Toughkenamon, Pa.-based First Generation Farms, Sonya Beltran said the company’s also growing baby bellas right now to sell in 5- or 10-pound boxes.
